I wrote a while back about putting together some trading cards for the fast approaching New York Comic Con. I'm happy to say that they're no longer just an abstract concept, because UPS brought the final products to my door a few days ago and boy! Am I excited with how they turned out.
Here's the details: there are a total of 18 cards. Cards one through nine are "story" cards, each highlighting the first two issues of the story. Cards 10 through 17 are "character" cards, with pinup-style artwork of main characters (and, honestly, whoever I felt would look cool on a card). Card 18 is a sketch card for...you know, sketches. There's some great artwork by artists like Duane Redhead, Alan Gallo, Jorge Correa, Mario Wytch, Travis Sengaus, Leonardo Pietro, Karin Rindevall and Paul Little.
I'll be selling these at the show as a set, but I printed out extra copies of card one to give away. And perhaps to practice throwing at watermelons just like they do on TV. Check 'em out! I'm proud.
Today was a pretty big day all around - for one, it was the first day of the Pittsburgh Comicon, and things went well. I'll toss up a few pictures from the show soon - right now, though, I thought I'd show off my great big mail day, and perhaps everyone can be jealous. It's okay if you're not, though.
First on the list is the grand debut of Teddy and the Yeti #3. UPS delivered this on Wednesday, but I finally got to the boxes today. The books turned out really well - both the 'regular' cover that you see above, with art by Tom Scioli, and the 'convention exclusive' edition with a cover by Jorge Correa, Jr. I'm thrilled with the quality, really. Just take a look at the inside:
After coming home from the convention's first day, I found the following waiting for me:
Etsy's Punkvixen sent me a few stuffed Yeti dolls that she put together. After a few adjustments made since the previous model, I will say that I'm really pleased with how these came out. I'm taking them to the con tomorrow, where I can hopefully send them to new homes.
Artist extraordinaire Paul Tucker surprised me by sending some of his books, including a copy of Borderland from Viper Comics. Paul drew the Mr. Massive story in the back of issue #2, in case anyone forgot - and this stuff is no less impressive.
And lastly...
I got my shipment of Futurama toys in today - four in total. So take that, PuzzleZoo! I managed to snag all the figures I was missing.
All in all, a pretty spectacular mail day. Pittsburgh Comicon, day #2 is tomorrow. Time for sleep.
It's time for another EXTREMELY POPULAR random post from me, an extremely popular poster. And by that I mean the "placard intended for posting in a public place" definition...I'm feeling rather existential today. Anyway, it's almost time for me to pack up and head to the Pittsburgh Comicon this weekend, so I'll go over a few things that are on my mind. And by "on my mind" I mean...okay, never mind. That joke is dead.
- The copyright-infringing poster you see above is from Wilmington area Fanboy Comics. The comic store is doing a great thing by holding a food drive that supports the Foodbank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Not that giving to the needy ever needs a tangible reward (just try not to come off as...gasp...a socialist!), but Fanboy is giving away some swag if you bring in some canned food. Check it out!
- Teddy and the Yeti issue #3 is on its way from the terrifying storehouses of New Jersey to the terrifying front porch of my parents' house via a terrifying UPS truck, where I will meet up with it soon. I should be getting both the regular edition and the extra terrifying convention edition at the same time, if all goes according to plan (I'll post pictures of things like the shipping box as always, don't worry). You can follow along here, because you're curious about shipping schedules, right? Perhaps it'll already be delivered by the time to check.
- My new friend Henry has once again done me a great favor by posting a preview of Teddy and the Yeti #3 on his always amusing "I love the Yeti" blog. It mentions the Pittsburgh convention as well, which is great. Check it out if you already haven't - not just for the preview, but hey, that too.
- I've briefly updated this blog by adding some resources and links. To see them, just look to your right. Really, it's there, just look...oh, okay, I'll post a picture of the VERY BLOG you're reading. Specifically, I've added some "reference"-style material such as the Wikipedia page, online stores where you can buy Teddy and the Yeti, and links to fellow T&Y contributors, friends, and...Weird Al. Because I can. I'm planning on also creating a list containing the physical "brick and mortar" stores that carry the book...but I ran out of time. Soon.
- I'm showing the movie "V for Vendetta" as an out-of-class assignment tonight where I work. I'm almost ashamed to say that I might just like the movie, as sensationalist as it tends to be, more than the Alan Moore-penned graphic novel of the same title. Hugo Weaving does a fantastic job. I've done this for a few years now, so I might have watched this movie more than any other movie in my life...but every time I push "play", I have to pay attention. It happens, I guess.
- I'll end with something un-comic related, but familiar to those who read the blog (BOTH OF YOU). There's a new episode of the Internet(s) sensation Franks and Beans online. I'll embed it below, because...I feel like it. Enjoy!
UPS had me worried all of Thursday and Friday morning, but they came through in the end - Teddy and the Yeti #2 was delivered at 10:40 AM on Friday morning, and the result is as seen above.
The books themselves look great - the pages are crisp and both the front and back covers (T&Y by Duane, Mr. Massive by Todd Nauck) came out really well. I've spent the past few days taking copies around to various shops, signing a few at both Evil Genius and New Dimension Comics, and generally trying to get the word out. I'll have them for sale on the website within the next few days, and I'll send out creator copies before the week is over. It's a busy time but it'll all happen...promise!
It's such a relief to get issue #2 out - not just because it took a lot of work to finish, but because having a second issue goes a long way to legitimizing the comic. In my opinion, anyone can put out one issue of a comic book - I'll go further and say that I think anyone can put out one GOOD issue, as well. Anyone can do the work and get an issue on the shelves, but it's going back and starting the process all over again that really separates those serious about the craft from those who can't quite cut it. The creation process is a long, difficult, lonely one, and I think that a lot of creators expend all of their creative energy on one issue, leaving nothing left for a second. If I had to guess, I would say that getting an issue #2 completed and printed is the most difficult process in any series, let alone an independent one.
I hope I'm not sounding like I'm full of myself, but I am really proud of getting this issue back from the printer. Hopefully it'll be successful, because just as anyone can PRODUCE a first issue, it's easy for anyone to BUY a first issue. How many people stick around for the second is a big indicator of if the story is any good.
Teddy and the Yeti #2 is right around the corner (UPS's information tells me that it's been in New Stanton since 8:51 this morning. What is the hold up? Don't they know I will drive there to pick them up? Come on!) - and I've just set up a new signing at the Century III New Dimension Comics. NDC has a great presence in Pittsburgh, and the Century III store is pretty big - and it's got the curious distinction of being located in a mall, so there are plenty of passers by who have never read a comic book in their lives and thus give you the strangest looks as you try to sell them your comic...but perhaps that's just me.
In any case, some of the smaller details still need to be worked out, but it looks like I'll be there on Saturday the 20th (two days away!) at 3:00 to...question mark. Don't you know that all the best parties end at question mark? Perhaps you should stop on by and see.
Like an expectant mother, I just confirmed that Teddy and the Yeti #2 is currently being shipped from the Comixpress warehouse in New Jersey to my parents' place in Undisclosed Location, PA. UPS is making this...uh..."delivery"...so we can all wait in anticipation while this new...um..."addition" is making its way to the world. Okay, so the newborn child analogy only goes so far. I will be seeing an actual baby - my nephew Jacob - for the first time on this trip home, so maybe I just have that mindset right now.
Anyway, the books got on the truck a little later than I was lead to believe, which means that I'll be pushing the envelope on my signing date with Evil Genius a bit. The books are supposed to arrive on Friday - I'll have a better idea tomorrow about whether the first signing, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, is still feasible. The second, from 6:00 to 8:00, shouldn't be affected.
If you click on the following link, we can all track issue #2's impending arrival together! Marvel as Teddy and the Yeti makes its midnight journey across the Keystone State. Gasp in suspense as I push my commitments to the limit and try to get to the comic shop on time! If you time it right, you can show up at my parents' house and get the VERY FIRST copy out of the box!
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