Granite State Comic Con 2016

A couple of weekends ago, I attended the Granite State Comicon with two of the supergirls and had a really fun time.

As I have said before, Granite State is a great palate cleanser for me after Boston Comic Con. While Boston is a con for running around to get signatures and commissions, Granite is a more laid back venue. Sure there are usually great guests. But for me, this is the con where I actually feel I can wander around, looking at the books and toys and actually shopping.

This year, the guest list was pretty solid. One of the things about heading to all the local cons is that I have met a lot of creators already. So I was heading there to meet Jeff Parker (again), Babs Tarr (again), JK Woodward (again), and Larry Hama (for the first time).

And I really only had one commission I was aiming for. Jeff Parker, who I know best as a writer (I love Future Quest, his run on Flash Gordon, his run on JLUnited), has been starting to draw again. He started out in comics as an artist.

As usual I had done some pre-show legwork and found out that Parker was sketching. So I brought one of my sketch books.

After gushing over Future Quest (my tagline is "Come for the Herculoids, stay for the Galaxy Trio!") and Flash Gordon, I asked and obtained this commission. There is so much to love here.

First off, despite three sketchbooks running and nearly 75 sketches, this is the first time an artist turned the book and did a horizontal commission. Second, I love the background with pine trees and a lighthouse! It feels so New England, perfect for a hometown boy like me! Lastly, Supergirl is just perfect, streaking in flight, smiling, hair awash in the wind. Wonderful!

As a bonus, Parker threw in his rough sketch, the quick work he did to get the pose right!

I love this commission. And Parker is just a really nice guy. Folks should definitely pick up his stuff!

I brought a number of issues to get signed from the other attendees. I got some Fallen Angel signed by JK Woodward. I got Babs Tarr to sign the newly published Doom Patrol #1.

But the big score was getting some early G.I.Joe issues signed by Larry Hama. I got these issues as a kid and they show that love. Look closely and you'll see the crinkles and folds of books read and reread in my youth. Love getting these signed.

And I bought a handful of comics, all from the $1 or $2 box. Continuing my odd fascination with early Tigra stories, I found Marvel Chillers #4. I now own 3 of the 5 Chillers issues that featured Tigra. You know what that means fellow collectors. I have to find the other 2.

But the best thing about the day was going to the con with the two youngest Supergirls. We had a great time. They loved seeing all the cosplayers (Steven Universe was well represented). They each got some cool stuff. And we just hung out and talked comics and pop culture. Too much fun.

I love the Granite Con for all that it is. I will always support it!
So all that's left is the RI Comic Con for this con season.

Granite State Comic Con: Talent Caldwell Commission

I figured I would post the other commission I obtained at the Granite State Comicon.

I saw that Talent Caldwell was going to be at the convention and thought he would be an interesting commission to grab. Caldwell's style is from the Michael Turner and J. Scott Campbell school. I think his style can be beautiful although at times it can border on cheesecake.

But after reviewing his art on some of the pages of Supergirl #39 and more recently Batgirl #8, I realized that I should try to grab a commission from him. I am very happy I did.

I really like the piece above. As always (and after getting as many commissions as I have), I love seeing a unique take on the character. This point of view, looking down on Supergirl, is a novel approach for my collection.

I also like the fact that he added her current belt to the more Matrix-y style costume that I love and request in commissions. It is a nice melding of the old and the new. I am very happy with this piece, an excellent addition to my growing collection.


So in the end, I am very happy I went to the Granite State Comicon. I grabbed commissions from two artists whose work I really enjoy. I was able to meet some other artists and grab some signatures from the surprisingly impressive Artists Alley, and I bought a lot of comics.

I hope that future cons are as great as this one. If they are, I will be there!

Here is a link to the con's website for people who want to check out info on future shows:
http://www.dmcomics.com/site2/granitecon.html