My time at the 2011 New York Comic Con...

As I had mentioned before, I was anticipating the 2011 New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan. I had my professional pass, and met up with Joey B. Despite my criticism of the fannish nature of comic book conventions, the New York Comic Con is still chocked full of fun. I always get the opportunity to visit friends, talk with colleagues, and see my editors.

This year, the New York Comic Con seemed more crowded and more insane than ever. Joey B and I saw things that I should never mention, nor post here at P.I.C. News. Now, Joey B has never before been to the New York Comic Con. So, He was having a grand time at the event. I‘ve gone to the convention each year, and just wanted to see who I wanted to see and then head on out.

I saw those ATOMIC ROBO guys, Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener. Scott drew this shiny Atomic Robo sketch…



Rick Leonardi drew this sketch…



I had the chance to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Staton (I try and do that every year). Joey B and I talked with Michael Golden, and then with Rich Buckler. I chatted with my one-time Archie Comics colleague, Dan Parent. I had a conversation with Neal Adams about his comics association, the Comics Creators Guild. I was able to pick up the first issue of RAISING RACHEL and meet up (again) with Terry Moore.

And, of course, Joey B and I saw Plastic Man…

Getting ready for the 2011 New York Comic Con...

Well, I’m getting ready for the 2011 New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. For those of you not-in-the-know, the Con is a big to-do in the comics industry. The Con is huge. The Con gets crowded. And the Con has its share of creepy fan-boys and fan-girls…



And people like this charming lad…



I've gone to the New York Comic Con every year since it’s beginning in 2006. The plan each year is to get my professional pass, visit friends, talk with colleagues, and smooze with my editors, which is always a whole lot of fun. Then, I jet on out of there as soon as I am able. I like to leave the convention before they open the doors to the public. I do enjoy the Con, but I would enjoy it more without bumping into folks like this…



However, this year will be a bit different. I’m not leaving early. I’m meeting up with Joey B. (Hopefully, Scan can make it, as well.) Joey B wants to go to a panel or two. This is his first visit to the New York Comic Con. Of course, I had to warn him about these guys…



And folks like this fellow…



Hey, I remember these gals. Maybe the Con won’t be so bad after all…



And puppies like to go to the New York Comic Con, too…



But, be warned…

Badge of Con...

Today, my mailbox gave me my 2011 New York Comic Con Professional badge.

Update: The Beat is reporting that tickets and passes to the New York Comic Con are selling quite quickly:

According to the show’s official Twitter feed, Saturday tickets are now sold out, although some may be available via retailers. And professional 4-day passes — which cost $10 as a registration fee this year — are almost gone as well.

Good thing I already got my pass.

Colleen Doran & Creator’s Rights...

Above photo: Colleen Doran and a comic-book-creator-signed Danish flag at the 2006 New York Comic Con.

Colleen Doran has mentioned that she will be taking part in a Creators Rights Panel at Wondercon. If you’re a cartoonist, especially one just starting out in the comics industry, visiting a panel such as this is absolutely worthwhile. In a time when many folks don’t like talking about comic book Creator’s Rights, it’s great to see someone like Colleen speak out on these issues.

Check out Colleen’s blog for more details about the Protect Yourself: Creators’ Rights panel.

Khaaan!!!

Yesterday, I attended the 2009 New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. I met with friends, colleagues, and editorial bosses. And I ended up having some new sketches added to my sketchbook. As usual, the con was the spectacularly huge, and crowded, event that wore my feet out.



Above photo: The New York Comic Con… crowed, as always.

I first saw my Archie Comics editor, Michael Pellerito, roaming the convention floor. We headed over to the Archie Comics booth where I said hello to my other boss, Archie Comics Editor-in-Chief, Victor Gorelick.

I headed over to the Kids Love Comics table to chat with my pal John Gallagher (of BUZZBOY fame) and Rich Faber. John gave me a signed copy of BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE! #3. Man, I really dig Buzzboy.

I said "Hello" to John Morrow at the TwoMorrows table. TwoMorrows publishes BACK ISSUE magazine… if ya don’t already know. There was another fella at the table scanning original Jack Kirby artwork. He yelled out to me: "Is Kornstein coming to the convention?" The fella was referring to my friend Michael Kornstein. I was taken a little bit off-guard because I didn’t recognize who this crazy person was… until I realized that it was Randy Hoppe. Randy works for the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center. I haven’t met up with Randy in years. So, it was nice to see him again.



Above photo: Artist Alley.

Over in Artist Alley, I talked with DONDI cartoonist, Irwin Hasen. Irwin was once an instructor of mine during my college days at the School of Visual Arts. I talk with Irwin at every con, but he still doesn’t remember me as a student… well, that WAS a long time ago.

My hero, Joe Staton, gave me two copies of E-MAN: CURSE OF THE IDOL… which I absolutely enjoyed! I love anything that includes E-Man. Joe is truly "The Nicest Guy in Comics."

I saw Colleen Doran who was starting to feel icky from the stinky New York smogfest that passes for air. Hopefully, Colleen will be feeling better soon.



Above: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle sketch by Peter Laird.

I met Peter Laird for the first time. I had once interviewed Peter (and fellow TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES creator, Kevin Eastman) for BACK ISSUE magazine. I still love those early TMNT comics! Thankfully, Mirage Studios is working on bringing those comics back into print. Yay!

Finally, in Artist Alley, I talked with fellow Archie Comics artist, Dan Parent. It’s always great to see Dan.

I am a huge fan of Terry Moore’s STRANGERS IN PARADISE. So, I was very pleased to have met Terry for the very first time. Terry and I discussed tools of the trade as I looked through some of his original artwork from SIP and ECHO. Terry does such an excellent job with his inking.

Neal Adams told me that he has put his graphic novel, BLOOD, on hold to work on a series of BATMAN graphic novels… scripted by Frank Miller. I might have to pick those up. Although, I would prefer to see more of Neal’s creator-owned work like BLOOD. But, Neal said that fans would rather see him draw Batman.



Above photo: See… chicks do attend comic book conventions.

After a few hours of roaming around, I had seen all that had to be seen at the 2009 New York Comic Con. I, then, made quick haste to exit the convention before the floodgates were opened to the civilian masses.

Free Speech, a Danish flag, and the CBLDF…

Above photo: Colleen Doran and a Danish flag at the 2006 New York Comic Con.

Two years ago, I signed a Danish flag. At the 2006 New York Comic Con, Colleen Doran (creator of A DISTANT SOIL) was asking comic book creators to sign a flag of Denmark in support of Free Speech. This was after the publication of Danish cartoons and the resulting violent reaction by Muslims around the world.

Colleen’s idea was to have comic book creators sign the flag, and than have the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund auction the flag to raise much-needed money for the charity. I contributed stories to John Gallagher and Sky Dog Comics’ MORE FUND COMICS and EVEN MORE FUND COMICS collections. So, I was happy to sign the Danish Flag when asked by Colleen.

Colleen’s efforts to promote awareness concerning Free Speech and Islam are very important. And I am quite happy with the results of so many comic book creator’s signing the flag in support of Free Speech (many include Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Kevin Smith, Joe Quesada, Todd McFarlane, John Romita, Jr., Kevin Nowlan, Kevin Eastman, Paul Gulacy, Kevin Maguire, Larry Marder, Shannon Denton, Walt Simonson, Terry Austin, Scott Hanna, Rags Morales, Erik Larsen, Chris Eliopolous, Bob Wayne, Paul Levitz, Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack, Carlos D’Anda, Joe Staton, Jim Salicrup, Carl Potts, Bill Sienkiewicz, Irwin Hasen, Jim Steranko, Mark Bagley, Frank Cho, Michael William Kaluta, John Lucas, Daniel Vozzo, Ale Garza, Garth Ennis, Esad Ribic, Mike Lilly, and Dean Yeagle).

Still, two years later, the flag hasn’t been auctioned off. Why? Beats me. So, I e-mailed the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to see what the deal was. Here’s what Greg Thompson (CBLDF Deputy Director) told me in response: "We are going to auction off the flag by the San Diego Comic Convention this year." That’s good news, of course. I’m praying that the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund raises a lot of dough with the flag.

I absolutely support Free Speech. Free Speech is important to all of us. We all have the right to Free Speech… even cartoonists. If there are folks out in the world that don’t like that, than too bad for them.


Here’s some links about all of this from Colleen Doran’s blog:

"Support Denmark and the CBLDF"

"NYC Comic Con!!!"

"Danish Flag Signing event for CBLDF"

"Cartoons of Blasphemy Belong in A Museum" (including photos of creators signing the flag)

New news...

The good news: I’ve been busy inking for Archie and writing for BACK ISSUE. I also got my professional pass for the 2008 New York Comic Con.

The bad news: As told by Scan: Jupiter is in puppy Heaven. That is sad news, of course. I can’t imagine how I would feel losing my own pet, or having to put her to sleep. I’ll be praying for Miguel and the friends of Jupiter.



Above photo: Miguel’s puppy, Jupiter.

I'm going!

So, it appears that professional registration is free for April’s 2008 New York Comic Con. The first year, we went for free. Last year, professionals had to purchase their badges. But, not this year. So, if ya draw comics, then ya might as well register. The convention is always very fun. This is such an excellent time where pros can smooze with their contemporaries.