I did a sketch at Mid-Ohio-Con for their annual charity auction. The auction is up now, so if you'd like a large representation of the conflict between Abby and Amazonia, check it out here.
The Big Poozer
I've got some commissions that are still on my list from Mid-Ohio-Con and from the internets, where I also take commissions. Here's one done for someone in advance of Baltimore Comicon. It's extra smart on his part, because this way I could color it and he can pick it up at my booth. Since I color on computer, it's not something I can do at a con.
You know, if you were going to Baltimore and wanted a commission, you'd be just as smart to order one in advance, too.
This pic is of one of my favorite Green Lanterns, Kilowog. There were a lot of GLs added to the Corps in the Eighties that had staying power, and I think chief among these is the big poozer himself.
Pulse Pounding Love and Capes Action!
Another day, another page. And a page with a shout-out to both Mental Floss and Mid-Ohio-Con.
This is actually a silent panel in the story, so there was no copy to remove. I really dig these quiet moments in the book when I can work them in. And I think there's some really nice body language happening in there, too.
I'm finally on the back nine of pages. I'd like to knock another page out today, but that won't happen, largely due to my lack of knowing exactly what happens. Plus, I've got other clienty work that must be done.
Con/Appearance Schedule 2009
With the big FCBD coming up, I thought I'd finally post my 2009 con/appearance schedule. Hopefully some other signings and such will be added as I go.
Free Comic Book Day • May 2
I'll be at Rogues Gallery Comics and Games in Austin, Texas.
Heroes Con • June 19-21
Charlotte, North Carolina. My first time at this show!
Comic-Con International • July 22-25
It's the biggest show of the year, and I'll be at booth #2000.
Mid-Ohio-Con • October 3-4
It's my home show, and I'll be there again!
Baltimore Comicon • October 10-11
What? The weekend after? Am I crazy. Wait, don't answer.
Andy Hallett
Andy Hallett died today. He and I had lost touch over the years, but I still thought of him as a friend. He was a great, sweet guy and had a voice that you just had to hear.
I met him at a San Diego Comic-Con where I chased after him in a hallway to get him to do Mid-Ohio-Con, which he did. That's where I got to know him. His years at MOC will always be my favorites.
Above is a photo from the last day of the first Mid-Ohio-Con where we met. I can't seem to find the original photo anymore, so I pulled this one from my old Con Reports section, hence the wacky caption. Those were some good times, and I'm going to miss him.
The First Thanksgiving Without
It’s Thanksgiving and it feels kind of wrong. Oh, it’ll be a good day. And I’ve got a ton to be thankful for. Great family, great friends, good health, and the good fortune to be making a living the thing I know without question that I was put on this earth to do.
But this year, my arms aren’t sticky. And that’s wrong.
For the last thirteen years or so, I’ve some of Thanksgiving getting ready for Roger Price’s Mid-Ohio-Con. Five years ago in particular a new tradition emerged. I always put together those large foam core signs, but in 2003 I did that in my newly purchased house. There was something about spray mounting giant cardstock signs onto foam core as I was watching The West Wing marathon that was just special. And sticky. The spray mount always hung in the air and got on my arms.
It’s how I’ve spent every Thanksgiving morning since. Heck, I’ve actually never been at my house on Thanksgiving weekend. Until this weekend, of course.
The Henry Brothers have taken over the big MOC reigns, and they’re doing a fantastic job. This year’s show was great. But Roger’s show was, well, Roger’s. It was a magical combination of the start of the holiday season and snow and that unique blend of big name guests and approachable fans.
It was my first major convention. The first show I exhibited at. The first show I ever made a profit at. I made friends at that showthat hve become among my closest. Some of my best memories (Karaoke nights, anyone?) and some of my worst (let’s not mention Brown and the Program Books, shall we?) come from that show. The new show’s great, but the old show will be missed.
I’ve got a bunch of MOC memories in the Con Reports section if you want to relive my time in Columbus at the Adam’s Mark, the Hyatt, and, my favorite, Easton.
I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, like I said. I’m thankful that had Mid-Ohio-Con, and that it still continues.
Hope you have a lot to be thankful for too, and that you have a great Thanksgiving.
Mid-Ohio-Con Charity Auction
When I was at Mid-Ohio-Con this past year, I participated in a charity auction. Many of the guests got together and drew something to benefit Make-a-Wish and The Hero Initiative. Well, the auction is live now. And, if you feel a burning desire to buy some Thom Zahler artwork, you can go directly to the Amazonia sketch.
Devil May Care
It required a fair amount of tracing paper to make it work, as there were a lot more overlapping shapes than I'm comfortable working out directly on a piece of bristol. I think it came out nicely, and looks even better colored.
Elektra. Woman.
I mentioned that I did a bunch of commissions at the recent Mid-Ohio-Con. I offer color commissions, but the deal is that I need to take the original home, or you need to send me a scan of the image. Well, a couple people have taken me up on that. One was
This one came out nicely, and I think the color really makes it pop. So I now have my third piece for the next Powerful Women collection. Only Twenty-two left to go.
And I'll probably be posting more sketchesfrom MOC and Baltimore. Sometimes I start out working on tracing paper, and as such I have tracing paper versions that I can use to recreate the artwork. And, as long as I'm mentioning the Powerful Women collections, I should let you know that I have only a handful left, and don't plan on printing any more this year. So, if you want any before they get snapped up at WizardWorld Texas, order now.
Dinner of Champions
One of my favorite parts of Mid-Ohio-Con is the dinner. Not that the food was particularly good, although it often is, but the company is always excellent. If you're lucky, you can have some amazing dinner companions.
Sunday night, I had dinner with Chris Claremont, Mark Evanier, Bob Ingersoll, Tony Isabella, Jesse Jackson (no, not that one), Carmella Merlo, Roger Price, Roger Stern, and Len Wein. Amazing.
The stories we told, the laughs we have. Man, I wish I could share them, but they're no longer in continuity.
Actually, we mostly talked comics, which was just great. We had the viewpoint of legends, readers, and sometimes even me. Seriously, this was one of the high points of the show.
Click on any photo to embiggen and enjealousify yourself.