Boston Comic Con Wrap-Up And Kevin Maguire Commission

Boston Comic Con, my hometown show, happened this last weekend and it has become a such a great convention bringing in great talent as well as supporting local artists and independent creators. I have been there since the beginning and I have seen this show grow to pretty mammoth proportions.

Now I usually attend both days of the con but this year a family commitment kept me away from the second day. I usually spend the first day of the show getting commissions and signatures from the creators. And the second day I have a more relaxed day, trying to talk more to the creators if I can and thumbing through the back issues.

The place was absolutely jammed with fans. This felt like the biggest crowd  that I have seen here, even more than the Jim Lee attended one from a couple of years ago. Some creators tables were mobbed, specifically Simon Bisley (so crowded I never got to him), Kevin Eastman, and Ed McGuinness. The lineup was very impressive. It was a fantastic time, spent with friends, and meeting and chatting with creators, and talking comics nonstop with other fans.

As a result of missing Sunday though, I didn't get the opportunity to really chat at length with any of the creators I was hoping to, especially catching up with Jamal Igle. Something of a bummer.

As for me, my mission going in to the convention was to get three commissions from Kevin Maguire, Francis Manapul, and Chrissie Zullo. Amazingly, despite being there on just the first day, I accomplished that goal ... albeit with a little bit of luck. I also, somehow was able to grab a commission from Joe Benitez and a quick sketch by Ed McGuinness. I'll end up posting all of these over the next couple of weeks.

I went to Maguire's table when the doors opened and got on the top of his list. I thought I was only getting a head sketch but instead got this unreal piece. Maguire's sketch list is unique in that it asks for what type of expression you want for the character. I put 'joyous'. So when I picked up this 3/4 body commission of this lovely and happy Supergirl I was floored. Just wonderful.

I asked about World's Finest. I thought the breakdown of art was based on the timeline with Maguire doing the flashback scenes but he said instead that his pages are on Earth 1, in the present, and mostly the pages of Helena and Karen in their secret identities. I also expressed how much I enjoyed the Tanga strip in Weird Worlds and My Greatest Adventure. Despite having other stories in mind, it sounds like DC has no plans for more Tanga. Too bad, she is such a fun character.

Anyways, this was a great convention and I would love to hear from anyone else who was there!

Boston Comic Con 2012

Three weeks from now, at this time, I will be in line bright and early at the Boston Comic Con. The Boston show has just grown exponentially over the last few years. The guest list keeps getting bigger and better. And now panel discussions and other events will be happening too. I have been able to grab some great commissions at the show in the past. But more importantly, I have met a lot of my favorite creators.

As I usually do, I figured I would review the commissions I am hoping to get. Obtaining commissions is one of the best parts of going to shows like this. While there are many many many artists I would love to get a piece from, here are my main targets.

Francis Manapul - I have been a fan of Manapul's for a while now. His work was one of the few things right with the most recent Jim Shooter run on Legion of Super-Heroes. I thought his style fit the Superboy run on Adventure a couple of years ago. And now he is reinventing the Barry Allen Flash.

Kevin Maguire - What isn't there to love about Maguire's art. He is one of those creators whose work I will always buy. His most recent work has been the Tanga strip in Weird Worlds and My Greatest Adventure, and that strip was a romp. But I also loved his work on Batman Confidential, Justice League, the Metal Men feature in Doom Patrol, etc. He also will be doing half the art on World's Finest.

A friend of mine came within a whisker of getting me a Maguire commission at the NYCC a couple of years ago. I hope to get one on my own now.

Ed McGuinness - I put his name down as a 'wish list' name. I love McGuinness big bold style. I love how he draws Supergirl. And this cover on Adventures of Superman during the Emperor Joker arc is one of my favorite covers period.

I don't know if he does commissions. I doubt I could afford one if he did them. And he will probably be swamped with fans. So I highly doubt this one will happen. And it's a bummer because I said that if I had the chance I would do anything for a McGuinness commission.

Chrissie Zullo - I love Zullo's style. She is most famous for the eye-popping covers on the Fables Cinderella spin-off mini-series. Getting a commission from her would make my day.

Jason Pearson - Pearson has become something more of a cover artist and will probably be buried by the Deadpool fans in attendance. But I loved his work on the 5YL Legion and the other DC work he has done. Will I be able to get on his list? I can only hope.

Khary Randolph - I don't usually get Aspen Comic titles but I heard some people talking about Charismagic in my comic store and bought some issues on a whim. It is a great little comic with great interior art by Randolph. I hope I'll be able to land something from him.

Now I get my commissions in sketch books. I have 2 books which I sort of rotate around. So there is no way I can end up with all of these. I strive for 4 commissions per convention, hoping I can get each book in the hands of 2 artists over the 2 days. So we'll see.

I also have a nifty idea to help support some of the local artists in Artist Alley. But I'll talk more about that if it comes to fruition.

Now there are many many other guests there who I hope to meet, chat with and get some signatures from. Old friend Jamal Igle will be there and I hope to talk to him some more.

If anyone is going to be at the con, I'll be the guy in the Red Sox hat and Supergirl t-shirt. If you see me, say hi!

The Supergirl Shrine

When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to discuss all things Supergirl. While I clearly knew I would be concentrating on her comics endeavors, I also wanted this to be a forum for other areas as well: Smallville, memorabilia, animation, commission art, and anything else.

So, as a way to start the discussion of memorabilia, I thought I would review my collection of Supergirl 'stuff', dubbed "The Shrine" by my friends. Sure it's in my corner of the unfinished basement. Sure it is an odd way to utilize a colonial style corner cabinet. But heck, I love it.

The top shelf is the 'white shirt' collection.

1) The 'Diorama' DC Superheroes figure - white shirt version

2) JLU paperweight bust

3) DC Direct Animated Supergirl statue

4) The JLU action figure - this is the one which came with the 'steel purse' accessory

5) DC Direct Superman Series 1 Supergirl

6) Plush Warner Bros. store Supergirl

The second shelf is the current costume shelf.

1) The 'Diorama' DC Superheroes figure - blue costume version

2) Mini-mate Wave 6 Supergirl (came with Bizarro)

3) Superman/Batman Series 5: Supergirl (Ed McGuiness)

4) Kotobukiya vinyl statue

5) Micro-Man Supergirl (Japanese import)

6) Superman/Batman Series 2: Supergirl (Michael Turner)

7) Hero-clix Supergirl

The third shelf is a mishmash.

1) Elseworlds Supergirl figure

2) Custom made Lego Supergirl

3) Bruckner Supergirl mini-statue

4) Supergirl bobble-head

5) Women of DC Universe Adam Hughes mini-bust

6) Crisis on Infinite Earths Supergirl figure

7) ERTL DC Comics Supergirl diecast figurine

The bottom shelf is the Silver Age shelf.

1) Pocket Super Heroes Series 2: Silver Age Supergirl (came with Silver Age Brainiac)

2) Midvale Orphanage sign from Silver Age Supergirl and Superboy Deluxe Action Figure set

3) Silver Age Superman and Supergirl statue (recreating Action 252)

4) Supergirl and Streaky from Silver Age Deluxe set

Now I am sure people are thinking 'maybe this Anj guy is bizarre'. Like many collectors, I consider myself a completist and so when a Supergirl item is released I usually try to get it (Ame Comi notwithstanding). I also am a few items short.

I still want the Bruckner full size statue, the Michael Turner statue, Crisis statue, the Pepsi drinking glass from the 70's, and the Grail piece - the Mego doll.

I will probably do some items on individual pieces that I feel are worthy of more in-depth discussion.