I've teased this before, but I got the official okay to talk about it a couple days ago: For Free Comic Book Day 2009, I'll be at Rogues Gallery Comics in Austin, Texas. I've known owner Randy Lander for some time now, and am a huge fan of his Comics Pants podcast (along with the rest of the panteon). I've never been to Austin, but have heard nothing but good about it. I'm looking forward to being there for my third FCBD.
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.
It's Only Six Months Away…
Now, if you miss it, or don't have a comic shop near you, or they run out of the FCBD issue (as does happen), there will be a retail edition released shortly thereafter and available on the website. The only difference will be a variant cover. Otherwise, it's identical to the FCBD issue.
In the meantime, tell your comic shop you want them to make sure you get a copy of the FCBD issue. It's going to be a good one. I think it's my strongest free offering yet, and it'll surprise some people.
I'll announce later where I'll be for the day in question. I will be doing a signing at a comic shop somewhere, but I can't announce where yet. And, if you're a comic book shop and need some kind of love for that day, give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.
I tried so hard, and got so far
Well, there's a fix or two to be made. And doubtless some typos to be fixed. But it's as done as I need it to be right now, and I'm pretty happy with it. There's going to be a lot of interesting in this issue, and while it's not continued per se, it does have a plotline that teases the next issue.
Geez, next issue?
The next issue will be out for Free Comic Book Day in May. It's a couple weeks later than it should be, being a quarterly book and all. But, you can get it for free, so I'm going to guess that you all will be okay with it.
Oink Oink!
AND IT COMES WITH WONDER PIG!
You can buy it here.
UPDATE: I went up to Target to buy it for my Goddaughter as a Christmas present, and they were all gone. Gone, I tell you!
The stars are shining for you, and just like me I'm sure that they adore you
With five pages left, plus doing the cover of #10, the new ad page with new photos, and the new recap page, the book is speeding headlong to its conclusion. I think it'll come together pretty nicely.
Half Hour Wasted? I Think Not!
I did a few interviews at Wizard World Dallas, including this one for Half Hour Wasted episode #96. I appear near the end of the podcast, but the whole thing is worth your time. It's a live broadcast from various parts of Wizard World, and it does a pretty good job of capturing the flavor of the convention.
And when they mention that Cheetah Lady… sheesh. I saw her too and be glad that you didn't.
Remember When I Said…
Yeah, I thought the Love and Capes trade was coming out this week. Turns out it's coming out next week. But it will be out then for sure! It's in the "Comics Shipping the Week of November 19th" list from Diamond.
Gamers People Play
Look at who's the lead story on Busy Gamer today. That link is to their beta WordPress site. You can see their main site at www.busygamer.com.
Sure, Awards Look Nice on a Shelf
Yesterday, I attended the Apex Awards luncheon at Pine Ridge. The Awards are put on by the Lake Communicators, an organization I've been proud to be part of for over five years now. Every year, they recognize the best advertising and communication work in Ohio.
I also met Brad Colbow, talented designer and illustrator. What was odd about our meeting is that we both follow each other on Twitter, and that's how we knew each other. I know Twitter is part of online social networking, it was just cool to see it transferred to in-person social networking.