Terrificon Recap #3: Walt Simonson Sketch And Other Notables

Here is my final recap of Terrificon 2025 which was absolutely tremendous. If you haven't, check out part one and part two. 

So we'll start out with this fantastic Walt Simonson 'quick sketch'.

But to understand the story behind this sketch, you need to know about Walt Simonson and his con presence. So settle in. Because if you are hoping to meet him at a con you need to know what I am going to tell you.

First off, Simonson is one of the nicest guys in the business and is just great to interact with.

Two, he sets up two lines at his table. One is only for signing comics. The other is for 'quick sketches' and he tries to do 10-15 a day. He sketches these 'quick' in real time. If you are in the sig line, you need to wait while he does them. When he runs his table, he does several people in the 'signing only line', then does a sketch, then goes back to the signing line. Then back to do a sketch and so on. So be prepared to wait.

Third, his lines are very very long because he is a legendary creator and, as said, an extremely nice guy. And those lines form early. Usually the sketch line is 15 deep in 5 minutes after the doors open because everyone runs to his table to get there. So be prepared to wait.

All this to say, fans need to be aware that if they are hoping for a Simonson sketch they need to be at the front of the line to get into the con itself and should head to his table first ... like run there. 

Also, fans should know that they might spend a big chunk of time in that line whether it is the sig or sketch line because they get long. So figure out how important meeting Simonson is and how much time you want to spend in that one line. Preparation is important. (You need to make this calculus for any popular creator at any con.)

For me, I had the luck of going to the con all three days. I avoided the Simonson table on Friday. That was my heavy lifting day, trying to set up commissions and get the bulk of signatures I wanted. 

Saturday was 'Simonson day'. With the heavy lifting done, I was ready to spend as long as I needed to in his line. (Again, it helps that I was going all three days. If you are there for one day, you might need to make a harder decision.)

I knew I wanted a sketch. I knew the way the line formed. I got in line very very early on Saturday. When the doors open, I ran to the table.

This is a long set up but I want to help con goers who don't know this. 

Wicked Comic Con Recap, Part II: Adriana Melo Commission, Sigs, And Some Conversations

Welcome to part two of my recap of Wicked Comic Con,

This is only the second year this con has been running and I felt like maybe there were some growing pains here. 

I have no idea how well it did financially but it felt a little less crowded than I anticipated given the guest list. 

Despite the prestigious attendees, there weren't any comic related panels on the docket. (Can you imagine a Harley Quinn panel with Palmiotti, Conner, Dodson, and Stephanie Phillips?)

There were plenty of exhibitors there with truly incredible collections on sale. The wall books were unbelievable. And while I wasn't there to buy key issues, they were there if you wanted. 

This was a great con. This was a great guest list. The Hynes Convention Center is a great venue. And the staff for the con were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

Thankfully they have already announced their dates for next year!

On to some of my escapades!

Terrificon Wrap-Up

 Last weekend was Terrificon, my first con since 2019 and I had a blast.

I had been looking forward to the return of conventions for a long time and the guest list was great so I knew I would be going. And I am definitely glad I went.

This definitely was a unique con. COVID isn't over so it did impact the con experience a little. I am vaccinated but this was indoors so I wore my mask inside the con pretty much all the time. There seemed to be fewer guests and fewer exhibitors than in the past. Some creators were masked, others not. I figured no harm in me wearing one if it helped others feel more protected.

This was also a con I went to alone. My usual con-buddy partner was unable to attend. Half (if not more) of the fun at cons is the camaraderie as you wait in lines with each other, share stories, and show each other what you bought. Without my pal, I was basically all business, in early and out early.

That said, I feel very grateful for meeting a new friend, Clint from Maryland. He was very much a kindred spirit with sketch books and organized issues for signature. I waited in line pre-con with him on Saturday and Sunday and the time went by quickly. He isn't much for social media but if you read this Clint, cool meeting you.

But let's not bury the lede!

 I finally got an Amanda Conner sketch!

Terrificon Prep

I cannot tell you how giddy I am to be posting a convention prep post. And for my favorite comic convention no less!

That's right! At the end of this month I'll be heading to Terrificon!!

As usual, show runner Mitch Hallock has put together a fantastic roster of guests. You can check out the entire show's slate of guests and panels here:https://www.terrificon.com/home.html

As I have said in the past, Mohegan Sun is a great venue for the con. The Expo Center is huge and spacious. The casino has every possible level of food options within from the finest dining to the quickest of food courts. It is easy to find and there is free parking. It is a dream.

But the pull is always the guests. And there are plenty of mega-stars I can't wait to meet. I have started the process of pulling books for signatures, figuring out which books I should get signed for friends, and contemplating commissions. I was truly hoping that the site would garner me a press pass but alas no such luck.

One of the interesting things about this year's con is that I anticipate it will be a bit more relaxed for me from a commission standpoint.  Here is the list of guests I already have a commission from: Tim Sale, Dan Jurgens, Pat Broderick, Dave Johnson, Khoi Pham, Jerry Ordway, Mike McKone, Matthew Clark, Jim Calafiore, and Joe Rubinstein.

That doesn't mean I don't have a few hopes and dreams out there.

At the top of the commission wish list is Lee Weeks. 

I have been a longtime fan of Weeks work. But I loved his Convergence: Superman and Superman Lois and Clark mini-series which introduced us to Jon Kent.

He will be the first table I go to in hopes of snagging a sketch. Fingers crossed.

(As a side note, I hope to get some of those issues signed by him and Dan Jurgens who is also attending.)

Supergirl Best Of 2019: Comic Honorable Mentions

Happy New Year's Eve and welcome to part 2 of my annual Supergirl review. Yesterday I looked at all the non-comic events with Supergirl in 2019. Today I turn my eye towards comics. I'll take a look at comics in general and showcase some Honorable Mentions for the best Supergirl comic moments of 2019. Tomorrow I'll announce my top ten Supergirl moments for the year.

As always, settle in. These end of year posts tend to be long! I have 12 months to cover!

 First off, from a blog point of view, there were two secondary threads which were highlighted this last year on the site.

First off, I ran through the early history of the second incarnation of the Supergirl character in a segment I called Matrix Monday.

I'll say that it was pretty fun to look back at the growth of that Supergirl character over time, from her initial concept to her time as a Luthor lover to ultimately embracing her role as hero. I hope folks like that run.

Less Supergirl-centric but just as fun for me was my coverage of Event Leviathan and my various Leviathan Theories. Turns out I was wrong this time. But breaking down the comic for a variety of clues both overt and subtle was really fun for me and kind of re-energized me.

In fact I was so enmeshed that writer Brian Michael Bendis caught notice. And now I will be an agent of Leviathan in this February's Leviathan Dawn special. So look out for my comic debut!

But enough about the blog! Onto the Honorable Mentions for the best Supergirl Comic moments of 2019.

Luma Lynai Sighting: Green Lantern #9

I have been enjoying the new The Green Lantern comic for all its Grant Morrison zaniness. Now I am a Morrison apologist and almost nothing he does is going to fall flat for me. But the scope of this book so far has been insane. And for once, I actually sort of like Hal.

One thing that has always impressed me with Morrison is his knowledge of continuity lore and his willingness to include comic history in his stories.

So I was both thrilled and not surprised to see Luma Lynai appear in The Green Lantern #9.

And I love the way artist Liam Sharp draws her. Just spectacular.

Bullet Review: Batman #68

This will be a quick hit but it is hard not to cover a book with art by Amanda Conner which features, albeit briefly, Supergirl.

Batman #68 is an interesting issue showing the presumed bachelorette party for the Bruce/Selina wedding. It also again shows the interesting dynamic between Bruce and Clark as they have the most sedate bachelor party I have been privy to.

In the end, it looks like this all might in Batman's head as it ends with him hooked up to a mind machine of some sort. So did this happen? Is this what Bruce thinks would happen at a Selina/Lois party?

Anyways, much like the double date Batman/Superman issues by King were fantastic, this semi-sequel was just as fun. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments. And it ends with something of a pithy character comment about the World's Finest different views of life.

And, no surprise, the artwork by Conner is just incredible.

June 2019 Solicits

The June solicits for DC Comics came out last week and are available for perusal in the usual places. Here is a link to Newsarama and their coverage: https://www.newsarama.com/44329-dc-comics-june-2019-solicitations.html

It is a wild month filled with hope for the ending of a story, the excitement of the beginning of a story, a story I didn't know about that I will be getting, and a big name story I knew about that I won't be getting. Did you follow all that?

Hopefully this is something of a turning point for the super-books, storming into the summer on a roll.

SUPERGIRL #31
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by KEVIN MAGUIRE and SEAN PARSONS
cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
variant cover by AMANDA CONNER
The House of El is united in this SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL crossover! The Superman Family must unite to banish Rogol Zaar once and for all! But little do Supergirl, Superman, Superboy and Jor-El know, Rogol Zaar has brought some friends of his own…from the Phantom Zone! Supergirl not only has to make sure that Rogol Zaar doesn’t unite with his ax at all costs, but also has to deal with how the 10-year-old Superboy is now her age! This is the start of an intergalactic war you don’t want to miss!
ON SALE 06.12.19 

For some time I have been calling for the end of the Supergirl in space storyline. It just hasn't felt like a Supergirl story. The characterization of Kara has seemed off. And I just enjoy her more on Earth, with a supporting cast, learning to be a hero on her adopted world.

So when I saw this solicit, trumpeting a Superman crossover and some resolution to the Rogol Zaar storyline, I smiled. One, I like when the super-family acts like a family. Second, maybe this means Supergirl is back on Earth and will stay on Earth.

Nice Conner cover.

On to the rest of the books.

April 2019 Solicitations

Last week, the DC solicits for April were released. You can head to the Newsarama and other sites to review the entirety of the DC line. Here is the link:
https://www.newsarama.com/43570-dc-comics-april-2019-solicitations.html

It's hard to believe but April marks a year of the Bendis-ification of the Super titles. Last year at this time, we saw the solicits for Action Comics #1000. We then got the weekly Man of Steel in June. And we have been off to the races since.

Of course, this impacted Supergirl as much as anyone. So while April marks the year mark of this redirection, we are only 9 issues into Supergirl's solo title reflecting it. I am starting to hope this 'Supergirl in space' storyline will wrap up soon. I want her hero-ing on Earth.


SUPERGIRL #29
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by EDUARDO PANSICA
cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
variant cover by AMANDA CONNER
The sins of the Circle—revealed! With a galaxy-wide bounty on Supergirl’s head, she, Krypto and Z’ndr must hide out at an abandoned planet until it’s safe enough to continue tracking the Circle’s trail of misdeeds. Unbeknownst to Supergirl, this planet is where the last crystal of Appa Ali Apsa was left to be found for the hidden messages in her other collected crystals to be revealed! Who killed Appa Ali Apsa? What other deeds happened at the hands of Rogol Zaar? Find out here!

Maybe this is a good sign. We are learning secrets. We are getting history of Appa Ali Apsa and Rogol Zaar. So let's bring it on home!

Review: Supergirl #24

Supergirl #24 came out this week and I won't bury the lede. It has Doc Shaner art.

Since I discovered Shaner's art I have wanted to see his take on Supergirl and he doesn't disappoint. That is not to say that Kevin Maguire hasn't been killing it on this book; he has. But there is something just magical, just gorgeous, just grin-inducing about Shaner's art and his take on Kara that elevates this issue tremendously. Expect me to gush throughout the review even though I have already blasted you with superlatives.

The story in the issue is good, advancing the plot of detective Kara trying to uncover what Rogol Zaar and 'The Circle' had to do with Krypton's destruction. I feel like the first three issues have been something of prologue, starting Kara out on this intergalactic journey. Now, out in space, writer Marc Andreyko can start to put the rest of the pieces out on the chess board. A couple of new characters are introduced. And we continue to move forward on Kara's quest to reunite the crystals Appa Ali Apsa.

Sure, Kara seems more of the angry, 'punch first' Supergirl of past years. The cover touts her 'path of vengenace'. It seems like a step back in her characterization. At least, at times, she seems like the bright, inquisitive Supergirl we have seen recently.

But the big win here is Shaner's art. It is just a fill-in. He has no other planned issue of Supergirl ahead. Maybe the hue and cry of the common folk can bring him back as designated pinch hitter?

Onto the book.

Review: Supergirl #23

Supergirl #23 came out this week and was another interesting chapter in this new direction for the title. I know that interesting is an odd choice, a damning with faint praise sort of word. But the truth is I enjoyed this issue. There are plot points that feel a bit forced. There is one magical moment that felt off. Kara's emotions continue to run a bit rampant, a sort of step backwards. And much of the turmoil seems overly forced.

Writer Marc Andreyko builds the mystery of 'The Circle' and their role in Rogol Zaar's plan to destroy Krypton. We get to finally see the mystery man who has been in shadows on the cliffhanger pages and he looks familiar. Kara gets lucky and is given the next crumb in her trail. There is a lot of fighting that, in theory, could have been avoided. Perhaps the thing I am having a hard time wrapping my head around is Kara's labile emotions. I get that she is reeling from the Zaar reveal. But her angry reactions and lack of trust feel more like the Kara of 2011, not 2018.

What truly elevates and saves the issue is the art by Kevin Maguire. No big surprise that Maguire injects so much emotion into the scenes. Kara looks fantastic. And I love his Krypto. The book really sparkles. Seriously. If this issue had less spectacular art, I think I wouldn't be so forgiving. Add to that the shiny, foil cover by Artgerm and the fun Supergirl rocket-surfing variant by Amanda Conner and the book just looks stunning.

Onto the book!

DC November Solicits

It may sound strange but I am having this swell of optimism in my heart about comics and DC Comics in general. Perhaps it is the hazy afterglow of convention season. Perhaps it is because there seems to be a sort of sweep of creativity going through the DC books recently. At the very least, you can say the company is trying new stuff while leaning into their proven commodities.

That feeling only got larger in my heart when I looked at the November solicits, seen here at Newsarama:
https://www.newsarama.com/41452-dc-comics-november-2018-solicitations.html

Maybe it is because one of my favorite artists is doing Supergirl. Maybe it is because a new Shazam book is going to be on the shelf. Maybe it is because Scott Snyder continues to keep the new Justice League book flying at warp 9. Maybe it is G. Willow Wilson is starting on Wonder Woman. Maybe it is one of my all time favorite comic writers back on a monthly?

Maybe it is all of it.

But it starts with seeing Doc Shaner doing November's Supergirl. Not that I don't love Kevin Maguire. But I have been wanting to see Shaner draw Supergirl for a long time. Getting a whole issue of him on Kara (maybe more than one issue?) set the tone!

On to the super-solicits and other stuff that caught my eye.

Boston Fan Expo Recap #2: Bob McLeod Commission, John Byrne, And Others!

Fan Expo Boston is now 2 weeks behind me and there was another con that I have already attended (yay con season!).

So I thought I would wrap up my coverage of this con today.

As I said last week, the feel of the con is much more celebrity-focused but the comic creator guest list was pretty impressive. There was a nice mix of classic creators and current folks. So for an old timer like me who also hits the store every Wednesday, this was perfect.

For examples, one of my best interactions was talking to Sam Humphries about his Legion/Bugs Bunny crossover. Humphries is a big fan of the Grell era Legion, the books I cut my comic teeth on. And I was able to talk about his recent Harley Quinn run which has really shined.

And, of course, John Byrne was there. Byrne was a huge draw for me, having been a fan of his since I was a wee lad reading Marvel Team-Up and enjoying his Superman reboot.

Regarding commissions these days, I am trying to make sure I get more classic artists when I see them (and if I can afford them) to recognize them and their contributions. At Boston, I really hoped to grab a Bob McLeod commission and I was lucky enough to get one.

Up next, the commission, by Byrne interaction, and other stuff.

Closing in on the Boston Comic Con

I know that SDCC starts today. But I'm not going to be there. Instead, I am finding it Hard to believe that in just about 3 weeks from now I'll be standing in line to get into the Boston Comic Con. I have been going to this con since its inception and have been impressed with how it has grown.

Over the last couple of years, the con has started to invite some celebrities to the event but the focus is always on the comics. This year they added a tag line espousing that ideal. "True to comics, committed to fans." I like it.

There is the usual glut of fantastic guests coming this year. And so I thought I would present the list of commission hopes. As you know, I try my best to get 4-5 commissions each year from this con. If I get my top two, I'll be thrilled. But as always, there are others I am hopeful for. And, as usual, the Grail piece will be within eyeshot but most like unattainable.

Here are the commission hopes.

Terry Dodson - I have always been impressed with the sheer beauty of Dodson's work. From the first Peter David Supergirl story in Showcase 96 to runs on Daredevil, Xmen, and Wonder Woman, I have always been drawn to his art.

This is the first time that I'll be seeing Dodson at a convention and so I'll be running to his table first in hopes of getting a Supergirl from him. I am leaning towards the Matrix style costume for Dodson although I might ask him if he'd be interested in doing the 70s version I have become just as fond of.

Jae Lee - My second commission hope is Jae Lee. Lee's stuff is just breath taking. I gushed about his work on Batman/Superman. I especially like the way he draws women. His Huntress, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and Lois were all just gorgeous. Like Dodson, I haven't seen Lee at other conventions I have been to so I am hoping to get on the list.

If I'm able to get these two and nothing else I will be thrilled. I love both their styles. Fingers crossed. But on to the others.

Bullet Review: Starfire #1

Starfire #1 came out last week and was definitely a fun read, so fun I felt I needed to do a quick review here.

I was one of the many readers who was put off by the portrayal of Kory as a brainless sex kitten, there simply for my ogling, as written by Scott Lobdell in the Red Hood and the Outlaws book. So I was thrilled when I heard that Starfire was getting her own book in the DCYou, especially when I heard the creative team was Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, and Hi-Fi.

Conner and Palmiotti have brought a sense of lunacy and fun to Harley Quinn. That book is a guilty pleasure, a book which seems to thumb its nose at sensibility, bringing a pedal-to-the-metal pace of wackiness and bawdiness to the comic world. Harley is a sort of PG-13, 'wishes it could be R', ribald comedy. I love it.

That said, I wasn't sure that I wanted a xerox copy of that tone with Kory. Once the Amanda Conner's cover and initial solicits were put out though, I could tell that it would be a little different. Looking at the cover, you have this totally gorgeous Starfire, beautiful enough to be turning the heads of everyone she has passed by. But the wide smile and breezy feel to the picture felt like it was going to skew a bit more innocent than Harley.

It also doesn't hurt that the internal art is by Emanuela Lupacchino, recent artist of Supergirl. Her work absolutely shined there and I can tell you that it does here as well. Eye-popping wonderful art here by Lupacchino and McCarthy.

And Hi-Fi just shines on colors, giving us layers of reds and oranges in Kory's hair and bringing us a bright, vibrant Florida as a backdrop.

The story is pretty straightforward.

Kory arrives in Key West as a 'stranger in a strange land'. She heads to the police station and asks for help in setting up a life there. While we are nearly 4 years into the New 52, this Kory really has a sense of naivete and wonder to life on Earth. She doesn't seem to have a grasp about day to day life here. Luckily, Sheriff Gomez is a kind woman and decides to help Kory, sheparding Starfire.

I had to include the splash page where Sheriff Gomez comments on Starfire's strength, stamina, and flight calling her a 'big orange Supergirl'!

I guess that is the closest we'll get to more Lupacchino Supergirl.

'My' Starfire is the warrior princess from The New Teen Titans. She was fierce and fiery. She was emotional and sensual. But she fought for what was right. And she never forgot the injustices done to her and her people.

But my 'other' Starfire is the one from the Teen Titans Go! cartoons, a sort of innocent, bubbly alien still learning what everything means on Earth.

The Conner/Palmiotti Starfire seems like the perfect blend of both. One of the running gags in the book is seeing Kory's thought balloons where she translates idioms a bit too literally. So 'three large ones' doesn't mean three thousand dollars to her; it means three elephants.

She isn't played off as stupid. She's learning. And it is fun.

But there is that sort of free-spirit sexuality to this Kory as well. She has no problem showering in an outdoor stall with the doors open. And she kisses this young man deeeeeply moments after meeting him. She uses the old Wolfman 'I learn languages by kissing' excuse. But when she is called on it by Gomez (who knows that Kory already knows English), Starfire's response is perfect. She wants to learn more English. I laughed out loud at that.

As a first issue, Conner and Palmiotti move things forward pretty quickly setting the stage. Kory is settled in Key West. She has a sort of guardian and guide in Sheriff Gomez. We meet her neighbors and get a blurb of backstory. And we get a fun scene in a bar where we get a sense of Kory's love of food, fun, and fighting.

If Harley Quinn is a PG-13, wishes it was R ribald comedy, I think Starfire is going to be a randy television show, pushing the envelope of what is allowed but probably staying close enough to PG to be accessible. More to the point, while I don't know if I would let my 13 year old read Harley, I would probably let her read Starfire if the book maintains this tone and pace.

Sign me up!

Boston Comic Con Wish List

Boston Comic Con is 'my' con, the big local convention that is the hub of my convention season. I have talked about how the convention has grown exponentially over the last few years, how it is in a venue I love, and how planning my commission strategies for the con is one of the things that gets me through the dark, cold, New England winters.

This was a very dark and very cold and very snowy winter. And the end of March was one of the most stressful times at work for me ever. So heading to the con site looking for new guest announcements became almost ritualistic.

Well the guest list has rounded out nicely so I thought I would take a look at who is there and who I am hoping to get a commission from.

Now I go to these cons for the comic guests. The media/celebrity guests are usually overlooked.

But this year Agent Carter herself - Hayley Atwell - will be there. The older two Supergirls haven't been too interested in going to cons in the past but hearing Atwell be there has made them pause a bit. At the very least, I think I will need to get an autograph from her for each of them. We all loved the show and watched it together as a family. I can only hope more episodes will happen.

As for me, it's the creators that are the draw and there are plenty of big names appearing. Here is the list:http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/artists.html

I have been at this commission thing for some time so there are many people attending who I already have a commission from. So here is the dream list for 2015 commissions.

Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (praised be his name) is going to be at the con. I have heard he does commissions at shows so he is number one on my list. Moreover, he did a lot of style guide Supergirl material in the headband costume, so I  think that is the version of Kara I will get from him if I am lucky.

Joelle Jones art is just achingly beautiful. And I have been loving her Lady Killer mini-series from Dark Horse. So she is also in my top tier of artists I am shooting for. I am toying with the idea of having her draw the 70s Hot Pants costume.

Lastly, Andrew Robinson was just announced as a guest. Robinson's recent covers for JLU have been stunning. But I also loved his painted stuff of Nightwing and Flamebird way back in the New Krypton days.

Now, right now, those are my top three hopes. But these can change depending on cost, funds, availability, etc. I also aim to get 5-6 commissions a show, so here are the 1A artists.

Stacey Lee's stuff is just beautiful. I have enjoyed her line work on Silk. And I also saw a Mrs. Peel cover on line that is fabulous. I wish I could find that comic to purchase!

 Yanick Paquette is an artist whose work I have always enjoyed. My buddy got a Beast commission from Paquette which is great. So I'll have to see whether or not I can pull off a Paquette commission.

Lastly, Eduardo Risso is going to be at the show.

I wonder just what a Supergirl done by him would look like. I think it would be unbelievable interesting, unique. So I am keeping Risso on the back burner. He may jump up.

But you know who else will be at the show ...

Remember Percival in King Arthur legend?

He was the only knight who could handle the Holy Grail. He had visions of the Grail before he was able to attain it.

In this image, from John Boorman's Excalibur, Percival again sees the Grail ... again just out of reach.

My grail piece for my collection?

Amanda Conner.

I have seen Conner now at a handful of conventions but every time she isn't sketching. I keep hoping beyond hope that somehow I will catch her at the right time, be first in line, be last in line ... be something ... such that she'll draw a quick sketch of Kara for me.

Like Percival, I can see the Grail but I haven't been able to grasp it ...

Anyways, I hope some of you will be in attendance. And let me know if I should be thinking of other artists for commissions?

Boston Comic Con 2015 Early News

These are the long dark cold days of winter here in New England. We have been covered in deep snow these last 2 weeks. I needed something to give me hope ...

And I got it this week!

The early guest list of this year's Boston Comic Con has been announced. And there has been some news too! The Con will again be three days and will again be held at the Boston Seaport, two decisions I am thrilled about. I love that location.

What is new is that there will be no door sales for tickets this year. Only advance on-line tickets will be available. Given the growing crowds for the convention as well as the debacle of last year's Rhode Island Comic Con, I think it makes great sense. No one wants to stand in ludicrous lines. No one wants to be shut out from getting into the con after having bought tickets. This con has grown so quickly this is the natural next step.

And the early guest list is great. There are a ton of artists that I would love to get pieces from. There are some that I don't think will be sketching. There are some that I don't think I will be able to afford. And I am sure there are many more names to come.

But there is one artist I would love to get a commission from ... a true legend ... praise be his name ...

Jose Luis Garcia Lopez!!

I absolutely love his work. His work is everywhere! And sooooo beautiful!!

I don't know if he will even be sketching. But I will probably run to his table first!

I briefly met Garcia Lopez way back in 2007 at the Baltimore Comic-Con. I was able to grab a couple of signatures from him but didn't even get the chance to ask him if he was drawing. So I am hoping hoping that he will be.

And yes .... Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be at Boston again. A Conner sketch ... anything ... is sort of a grail piece for me. So maybe I can try to beg and plead one more time!

Anyways, buy your tickets for Boston Comic-Con and hope to run into you all there!

Boston Comic Con Quick Update

So I was at the Boston Comic Con yesterday and will be there today and tomorrow as well. So no major post today.

I will say that yesterday was a great day at the con, fun and productive.

First off, I love the convention site ... The Seaport in Boston. Right off the highway, cheap and plentiful parking, and multiple restaurants and pubs within walking distance, all right on the water.

I was able to meet the majority of creators I wanted to yesterday, having nice conversations with Amanda Conner, Marcio Takara, and Mark Waid in particular.

I was able to get the top three commissions I was hoping to get. So the sketch books landed in the hands of Chris Burnham, Cat Staggs, and Marcio Takara. Burnham finished early ... a remarkable piece ... so I was able to then hand the seltchbook over to Daniel Govar.

There is a chance I might be able to get a couple of more sketches today and tomorrow.

Unfortunately Amanda Conner was not sketching so the Grail escaped me once more.

Today I hope to actually shop a little bit for ... gasp ... comics. I spied plenty of $1 boxes to thumb through. I was able to score a great bargain. The hardcover Lois Lane 75 year celebration trade for a mere $5.

One Week To Boston Comic Con

At this time next week, I will probably be in my car, driving to the Boston Comic Con for day 2 of the three day convention.

I have talked about my hopes for the convention and my top targets for commissions.

And while I say it every year, I am going to try to tweet or live-blog a little bit while there.

But there is one more thing ....

The Grail Piece.

A while ago, someone asked me which artists comprise my wish list for Supergirl commissions. Of that short list of names, one is actually going to be at this con.

Amanda Conner.

I don't think Conner does con sketches any more.

I am sure that her and Jimmy Palmiotti's table is going to be a madhouse given how popular Harley Quinn is. So I doubt she would have time even if she did sketch.

And I don't know if claiming I am a huge fan of her art , a huge of Supergirl fan, running a Supergirl blog will matter much.

 

There is a reason such commissions are called Grail pieces.

They are coveted. Given a certain reverence. And exceedingly difficult to obtain.

I fear that I will be like Percival.

The Grail will be within my sight but will most likely be unobtainable.

But the quest will go on.

Send any good vibes my way.

Boston Comic Con Preparation and Commission Wish List

One month from now I will be heading to the Boston Comic Con !!

This is the event of the summer for me and, as usual, it is about a month prior that true con preparation starts.

I have begun pulling books for signatures for the guests there, organizing them in interoffice envelopes for easy retrieval. I try to limit sigs to 6-8 per creator. There is nothing worse than being behind someone who brings 30 issues for signature. If I have more I will leave the line after 8 and return later with the rest. And while I succumb to pressure and bring first issues, and creator's first issues on a title, I will often bring my favorite issue of a creator to sign. I find that handing an issue they haven't signed a million times can spur a conversation. (For example, I remember handing Frank Quitely All-Star Superman #10, saying it was my favorite issue of the run. Turns out it was his too and this led to a nice chat.)

Anyways, the other half of con preparation is planning a commission strategy. Who do I want to get sketches from? Are they sketching? How much do they charge? Who is so popular I need to run to their table first? Who can I get in touch with pre-con to try to reserve a spot on the list? There is some prep work here.

For commissions, I have three sketch books I use, so I try to think of the top three with a secondary list if I don't get on the top three's list or if the initial commissions are done quickly enough for me to get more. I like to support the artists as much as possible.

Using sketch books limits how many commissions I can get in some ways but I love the portability of my collection. It also shows artists that I am not going to just flip my commission on EBay.

Here are the top artists I am hoping to get commissions from at the con, although one is a pipe dream.

Chris Burnham - I loved his work on Batman Incorporated. His treatment of Talia al Ghul was so spectacular that he vaults to the top of the list. His work on Batman Incorporated might make him a tough grab so I am hoping to get to him early.

Marcio Takara - I have seen enough of Takara's Supergirl commissions on-line (like the above pic) to know he draws exactly the sort of Supergirl I love. Add to that his recent energetic work on recent issues of Smallville, I am hoping to get on his list.

Clay Mann was a late addition to the convention roster. Mann is known mostly for work on X-Men books. I have always liked his style. A good friend of mine got an Elektra commission from him a couple of years ago which is breathtaking. So maybe I can nab a Supergirl from him.

Cat Staggs does the covers for Smallville and designed this interesting Supergirl costume. The commissions I have seen from her are unbelievable. I am hoping that Staggs will be sketching in Boston.

And now the pipe dream ...

Amanda Conner is one of my favorite artists in the business. I absolutely loved her Power Girl, Silk Spectre, and her Wednesday Comics Supergirl. I know she rarely does commissions these days but a Conner Supergirl is a like a grail piece for me. I can only hope that an earnest plea will be heard.

So those are the top artists on my wish list. There are plenty of other artists I would be thrilled to get sketches from so you never know. But wish me luck with these creators!