Motor City Comic Con:
Last weekend was the MCCC, and I think I have recovered from it sleep-wise. The show seems to have suffered recently from some organizational shake-ups. Attendance seemed down from last May and I heard a general tone from exhibitors wishing the MCCC could grow to be the show it's capable of

However, to not dwell on the negative, I always enjoy sitting near two of my favorite artists: Jeremy Bastian and Nate Pride. Their respective girlfriends joined them as well as my wife Julia so it was just a big-old-party behind our tables. Friday night we all made a mad-dash to Home Depot to collect enough PVC pipe and connectors to construct three free-standing banner-holders. At the time is seemed like a huge hassle and very frustrating, but only a few days away from it, I can already see it was a con-memory with good friends I'll always remember.

I had three highlights at the show:

1) Meeting Katie Cook and her Husband Ryan in person.

Katie and I have e-mailed a few times, but never took the time to really connect with each other in person. Julia & I adore her work and she is a bigger Star Wars and Muppet geek than I am!

After the show on Sunday Katie and Ryan invited our crew to dinner. It was really cool to just unwind and talk about all sorts of geekdom over delicious food with them. To quote the Great Gonzo "There's not a word yet for old friends you've just met..."

2) Talking with Bill Stolpin.
Bill is a printmaker from Flint and knows and studied under the Printmaker who turned me on to the medium (and thus changed the course of my major) I saw Bill's work in that 1st semester class as an example, and it blew me away. He is now teaching printmaking up at the Flint Institute of Arts and offered me use of the facilities if I come up when class is in session. It was wonderfully generous and kind of him, and I look forward to taking him up on it. Check out Bill's website here

3) Surprising Jeremy with the Autographed Frankenstein book.

When Julia and I were in Calgary, Julia found a copy of Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein book (which is IMPOSSIBLE to find from what I understand). Knowing that Jeremy Bastian wanted a copy, I mocked him openly that I had a copy (knowing in my mind that I had every intention of giving it to him). I even taunted him about Bernie being at the MCCC and getting MY book signed. So on Friday I took the book over to Bernie and had him sign it "To Jeremy". When I brought the book back to Jeremy his jaw nearly fell off his head when I showed him the inscription and confessed my intent to give it to him all along. Happy early Birthday pal!

I also was able to nab some sweet swag:

A: Katie Cook's Sketchbook with a crayon sketch of R5-D4 on the cover

B: Nate Pride's new Sketchbook. Nate's got a great sampling of his newer inkwork

C: Jane Irwin's historical mini-comic Clockwork Game

D: Jane's 2nd Vogelein trade paperback

E: a handpainted Harry Potter greeting card by Katie Cook

F: a print of Nate's awesome character Gip Noodlebottom

G: a Nate Pride original piece of a gnomish guy with a big bowl

H: a Katie Cook original of a Wookiee scared of a mouse-droid

I: a metal transfer print of my Free Comic Book Day image from a fan

J: a Nate Pride print of his version of Grendel himself

K: a Nate Pride print of his version of Grendel's Mom

Upcoming Appearances:

Wizard World Philly: May 30- June 1

Detroit Comics Signing: June 7

Wizard World Chicago: June 26-29

Paradise Comic Con Toronto: July 12-13 *just added