Impromptu signing at Comic Book Jones this Saturday, 12/14/13!

The good folks at Staten Island, New York's Comic Book Jones are celebrating their store's sixth anniversary this weekend, and they were gracious enough to invite me and some other talented gentlemen to sign as part of the festivities.

Comic Book Jones is a shop near New York City, and I've heard lots of good things about it.  In the past, they've hosted a number of FUBAR creators, and I've been regaled with stories about the fun time had at this store.  I'm excited to experience it myself and I'm especially excited to get to hang around in the same forum as the other comic guests.

As you can see from the CBJ newsletter, there are a number of professionals attending over the weekend.  I'll be joined on Saturday by FUBAR art director Steve Becker, along with Fred Van Lente,  Ryan Dunlavey and Charles Soule!  Sunday brings to the shop Evan Dorkan, Jacob Chabot, Chris Giarrusso and Frank Tieri!

I'm also listed as "newly added", which I think means that they had to work very hard around my extremely busy schedule, pulling lots of strings to get me to agree to make a public experience.  Either that or I didn't set this up until almost the last minute.  Also, my name does not have its customary "D" on the end, which I always thought was superfluous anyway.

If you're in the NYC area this Saturday, I hope you'll stop by to say hello.  I'll have some FUBAR and Tick books with me and I'll be happy to have a staring contest with anyone who comes in and wants to step up to the plate.  I'm not certain as to what times I'll be in the store; Steve and I are planning on coming in early, but we don't have a time locked down yet.  I'll try to update that information here or on my Twitter feed.  Here's some official info for the store!

Address: 2220 Forest Ave. Staten Island, NY 10303
Webpage: www.comicbookjones.com
Phone: (718) 448-1234
E-mail: ComicBookJones@gmail.com

And yes, I've already checked.  There's a place that sells Mug Cream Soda right across the street from the store.  Very exciting.

Comic Book Christmas Cards

Ah, the bounty of Google is plenty.  It's almost Christmas once again, and comic books have a long tradition of celebrating the holiday in their own way.  Here are some of the better comic book Christmas cards/greetings from over the years!

Marry Christmas!

War of the Independents #3 now on sale!

The indy comic book crossover War of the Independents #3 went on sale yesterday, and you should, you know, pick it up.  It's got a flip cover by Todd Nauck and Chris Giarrusso and features two comic characters you've possibly heard about on this site...Teddy and the Yeti!

Our guys had a cameo in issue #1, and from what I understand, they'll also be in issue #6.  But #3 features their biggest role and they're also on the Giarrusso cover right above the Tick!  I'm gonna buy a few copies of this for sure, and if you see it at your local comic shop, I hope you'll pick up a copy as well!

War of the Independents #3, page 11

Here's an uncolored page from the upcoming War of the Independents #3.  This indy crossover features a bevy (that's right, a bevy) of cool characters, but this page specifically is near and dear to my heart, as it features Teddy and the Yeti in two panels!  Can't pick 'em out?  Here, I'll do all the work for you (grumble):

That's from the final panel (where Ted is unceremoniously getting hit in the head with a rock); they also appear as tiny little figures in the first panel!  I can't wait to see this page colored and the entire issue in all its glory.

From what I'm told, issue #2 of the mini series will appear in stores this month.  Issue #3 is back in Diamond's Previews catalog with an order code of JAN121247.  This issue features Teddy and the Yeti's first cover appearance, with art by Chris Giarrusso, with another by Todd Nauck!  Check it out, kids, and order away!

War of the Independents #3

I got my first look at both covers to War of the Independents #3 today, and both of them are very impressive.  In addition to Todd Nauck's cover, I'd like to highlight the above by none other than G-Man and Mini Marvels artist Chris Giarrusso.  Featured rather prominently, between the Tick and G-Man, are both Teddy and the Yeti!  I knew that at least one of the characters would be on this cover, but to see both and in such prime location is quite a treat.

As the issue works its way closer to the stands, I hope to get a little more information to pass along, but in the meantime, here's the official solicitation info direct from Diamond:

Title: The War of the Independents #3 

Plot &Art: Dave Ryan 

Cover art: Todd Nauck 

Flip cover art: Chris Giarrusso 

Script: Robert Sodaro 

Colors & Letters: Wilson Ramos Jr.  

Imprint: Red Anvil Comics 

Rating: All Ages  

Format: Comic (32 pgs) 

UPC: 609224530005 

Price: $2.99 

The Story: The War of the Independents raves across the multiverse, and in this issue the supermen are on their way to Norway to locate the fabled hammer, belt and gloves of Thor, the legendary Norse god of thunder. Meanwhile the villain, Maldestrak — a being of godlike power who is pure evil , and bent on the utter destruction of all forms of life — arrives there first acquires the magical items as well as their incredible power; then proceeds to kick everyone’s butts. Guest stars this issue include the Tick, Atomica, Karna and El Gato Negro, as well as many others.

Be sure to check out this book once it reaches stores!

Thing sketchbook, part 6

I haven't posted any new entries into the Thing sketchbook files in a while...this is an oversight that must be remedied!  Here's five more spectacular images of the greatest comic book character ever created.  There, I said it.

Ron Wilson - HeroesCon 2008

Ron Wilson pencilled the Thing for years in titles like Marvel Two-in-One and the solo Thing series, so I had to get him to draw the character for my book.

Chris Giarrusso - HeroesCon 2008

Chris Giarrusso draws "G-Man" and the Mini Marvels feature for Marvel...he is one of the very few comic book creators that does humor well, in my opinion.  He was REALLY cranky when I approached him to draw this, but all's well that ends well.

Scott McDaniel - Pittsburgh Comicon 2009

Whenever I hand the sketchbook over to an artist, I always tell him or her to draw whatever version of the Thing they feel like drawing, but most opt for the class, cigar-smoking version.  Scott decided to draw him as Nightwing, the character he might be most well-known for.

Wayne Faucher - Pittsburgh Comicon 2009

Wayne Faucher - an inker by trade - was almost apologetic at how this turned out.  Don't sell yourself short, Wayne...it's one of the most detailed and expressionistic sketches of the Thing I have.

Pat Olliffe - Pittsburgh Comicon 2009

Pat is a really solid artist best known for his lengthy run on "Spider-Girl".  He doesn't get as many high profile assignments as he should, in my opinion, because he's consistent and I enjoy the underscored realism to his art.  Oh, and he did a Teddy and the Yeti cover for me, which is great.

This might be hard to believe, but yes, there are even more Thing sketches to show beyond this one.  I'll get them up soon, so...you know...keep checking back.  Please.