Thing sketchbook, part 25

It's the 25th installation of the (very popular) Thing sketchbook series! That means we've seen around 125 of these beauties so far. Let's see what these five look like, who they're from and where I got 'em!

Stan Sakai - Comic-Con International 2019

Stan Sakai is a legendary artist who has spent the last few decades working on Usagi Yojimbo, which is an absolute masterpiece. I found him at his usual spot at Comic-Con in San Diego and thought I'd take a chance to see if he would draw the Thing in the ol' sketchbook. I handed him the book and paid the money, and then the negotiation began. At first he said he didn't want to draw the Thing, but thought about it for a minute and asked if he could draw his famous samurai rabbit as the Thing, and of course I agreed. This is one of the stranger entries into the sketchbook, but it's Stan Sakai, it's Thing-like, and I'll take it.

Julie Sakai - Comic-Con International 2019

Julie Sakai, artist on the Chibi Usagi feature and Stan's wife, was at the table with Stan while he drew his sketch. After he was done, we slid the book right over to her and she drew this lovely Usagi-as-the-Thing color illustration. It's like Usagi is dressing up as the Thing for Halloween, and I heartily approve.

David Lloyd - Comic-Con International 2019

David Lloyd had a booth across from New England Comics' space at this show, so I kind of staked him out all weekend. Toward the end of the show, I found a time when he didn't have a crowd in front of his booth and I made my move. Lloyd, of course, is the artist on the classic V for Vendetta, and it was a pleasure to get to talk with him about comics while he sketched this rather spooky-looking Thing.

Alexis Ziritt and Ian Nichols - New York Comic Con 2019 and Rhode Island Comic Con 2019

Is this the Thing from Hell? If so, he's my favorite demon ever. Alexis Ziritt, who draws such wild stuff for books like Space Riders, started this sketch off with a flaming skull that is something of a trademark for him. My pal Ian Nichols finished it off by adding some colors and a wide frame for this Ghost Rider-esque Ben Grimm.

Okay, there are admittedly some very different Things in this entry. Let's wrap it up with a more traditional-looking Thing:

Art Baltazar - New York Comic Con 2019

Art Baltazar makes really wonderful kids comics like Tiny Titans and Aw Yeah Comics, and it's easy to see his broad appeal with this marker-and-crayon, very happy Thing sketch. Ben is so happy that it looks like he's beginning to unravel a bit! I saw Baltazar drawing sketches and I very tentatively approached him about joining the book - it's always a bit nerve wracking to barrel your way toward a booth with a book in hand - but he agreed to draw something and that's how we ended up with your good pal Ben here.

We're nearing the end of 2019 in the sketchbook - I hope nothing comes out of left field to really disrupt convention sketches in the near future. Er, I'll see you all next time!

Pictures from the 2019 Comic-Con International, part 9

Hey, let's have one more post for Comic-Con 2019! As usual, I spent a few days after the convention in town, and some of it kinda had things to do with comics. Let's wrap it up!

The San Diego Central Library is really a wonder. It's beautiful to look at and fun to explore. I don't always get to visit when I'm in town, but I was able to take the elevator to the top floor this year and see some of the exhibits on display, including one on pulp magazines and comics.

This picture is from the rare books collection.

There was another small exhibit on bookplates, which I think are very neat.

The exhibit extended along the wall and included a lot of great artwork.

There were also some comics on display! I see you, Fantastic Four #112!

Near the entrance, there were boxes of cheap comics on sale! I didn't have time to flip through them, but it's great to see that there were some affordable reading copies out in a prominent area.

Every year, I go to the Cat Cafe after the show is over. Let it be known that there are still cats in residence.

And that they are adorable.

The Amazon offsite was coming down on Monday afternoon.

I went to Balboa park on Monday and saw the future site of the Comic-Con Museum. I wanted to visit over the weekend, as it was open in conjunction with the convention. They had some fun-looking exhibits happening and in general I wanted to see what it looked like, but it just never happened. The museum is several miles from the convention center, and with parking as it is, and with schedules as they are, I could never find the time to get away.

I have to imagine that the museum will just continue to be a bigger and bigger part of Comic-Con moving forward, especially after it officially opens in 2021, and I hope to be able to see inside sooner or later, but the distance between the two sites presents some challenges.

I did get to visit the air and space museum, though, which is right next to the Comic-Con museum.

It was fun!

Also, I saw this giant concrete(?) lemon as I drove through Lemon Grove!

A lot of the electrical boxes around town are pained with interesting artwork.

On Tuesday, I visited the aquarium!

And I saw a yeti crab! Look at that little guy. What's that? He's dead and collected in a jar? Yikes!

After leaving San Diego, I spent a few days in Los Angeles, where I went to the Griffith Observatory. I had been there last year, but this time I went after the sun set and got to take a peek though some telescopes.

I was able to see, in astonishing detail, both Saturn and Jupiter. I could see the rings of Saturn! I could see some of Jupiter's moons! It was absolutely incredible!

On my last day in California, I happened upon, quite by accident, the Original Farmers Market.

This was like a land out of time. It's a quaint little shopping village and market that has a very retro feel to it. I'd like to go back if I find myself in the area again.

Let's take a look at some of the things I picked up for myself at Comic-Con!

I don't know why I got this, but I did. It's a signed, limited and graded copy of Walking Dead #192. These were available at the Image Comics booth and they sold quickly.

I picked up this print from Monkey Minion Press! I got their first print the year before, so I had to get the second. These had a print run of 100.

I'll never reveal how I was able to get this vinyl dumpster fire toy from 100% Soft. Let's just say that it was very cutthroat. But I'm glad I was able to get one - look at how cute it is!

Ian Nichols surprised me with some Thing original art - I'll post the whole page a bit later, but suffice it to say, I love it.

And speaking of Ian, I picked up some of his roughs at the show, as well. At top is a layout from the Comic-Con Special issue of The Tick...

...and here's some design work for Ian's cover to IDW's Usagi Yojimbo #1, with featured The Tick!

Always happy to relive some memories and share some Comic-Con pictures with the world at large after the show. Thanks for checking 'em out with me.

Come see me at Comic-Con 50!

I'm getting ready (at the last minute) for this year's 50th Comic-Con International in San Diego! As in the last few years, you can find me at a few different locations at this year's show, with a few new exclusives.

Did you know that the Black Terror: Social Insecurity books are finished? And that I'll have them with me?? Well, both of those things are true. I'm sharing a booth once again with Jennie Wood in the small press section, at booth M06.

I also wrote a new issue of The Tick, and it's a Comic-Con exclusive! I'll be stopping by the New England Comics booth (#1807) to sign copies at different points over the duration of the convention. Similar to last year, this book comes from a Ben Edlund plot, and is drawn by Ian Nichols, who will also be at the show.

There are two covers to the issue, including this blank sketch cover!

Also, Ian drew this cover to IDW's new Usagi Yojimbo series! How neat!

If you're at the show, stop by and say hello. I'm looking forward to kicking off Comic-Con in...a few days?? Okay, back to packing.