Buy fifty Euros worth of product from Panini and they throw in this damn cool Secret Invasion t-shirt for free! And judging by the amount of green I've been seeing around the show today, Panini's selling a lot of Marvel product!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Skrulls Invade Angouleme
Buy fifty Euros worth of product from Panini and they throw in this damn cool Secret Invasion t-shirt for free! And judging by the amount of green I've been seeing around the show today, Panini's selling a lot of Marvel product!
Live from Angouleme!
Soleil has a free wireless internet connection in their booth, so I figured I'd take advantage of it and share some pics with you...
You know it's gonna be a good con when this is the first thing you see when you walk into the booth!
Soleil has the biggest booth at the show and it's always set up like a disco and promoted like a party, but this year that feeling is even more enhanced as instead of long tables, all the creators are now given their very own bar table with stools to sign at.
Like these guys, the artists of the various Lanfeust of Troy series...
...who draw long lines, where fans wait for hours to see them as they do free sketches for everyone who buys their books and comes to see them.
Many fans even know to bring their own chairs to make the wait a little easier!
And if the creators get tired, they have this classy sofa to kick back and chill in.
And check out who has his own signing table...
...complete with my own chandelier!
Never had my name in lights before!
More soon...
You know it's gonna be a good con when this is the first thing you see when you walk into the booth!
Soleil has the biggest booth at the show and it's always set up like a disco and promoted like a party, but this year that feeling is even more enhanced as instead of long tables, all the creators are now given their very own bar table with stools to sign at.
Like these guys, the artists of the various Lanfeust of Troy series...
...who draw long lines, where fans wait for hours to see them as they do free sketches for everyone who buys their books and comes to see them.
Many fans even know to bring their own chairs to make the wait a little easier!
And if the creators get tired, they have this classy sofa to kick back and chill in.
And check out who has his own signing table...
...complete with my own chandelier!
Never had my name in lights before!
More soon...
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Angouleme Arrival
I love Angouleme. I really do. It's one of my favorite comics' festivals, and unlike any other I know of. The simple fact that it takes over an entire French town makes it unique in and of itself. A whole town! You step off the train and you can't help but feel the love that's bestowed upon our beloved graphic story-telling medium over the course of these next five days.
Walking into Gare Montparnasse in Paris to catch the TGV to Angouleme is just like walking into JFK to board aplane to San Diego Comic Con... it's a who's who of European comic creators. I was there with Olivier Jalabert from Soleil and we ran into all kinds of folks heading to the con; Olivier Vatine, Nic Kermidas, Theirry from Delcourt, and even Eric Powell, who I'd surprisingly never met before. The party started there as beers were bought and the train was boarded.
Oliver got us upgraded to first class (score!) and we ended up sitting with Diane and Jean-Jean Launier, who run the amazing contemporary art gallery Arludik in Paris. After apologizing for not attending last night's Ronnie Del Carmen/Enrico Casarosa/Tadahiro Uesugi show opening, we settled in for a wonderful chat about international comics and art and the two hour train ride flew by. Jean-Jacques also does some work for Fox France and they're starting their Watchmen promotion in Angouleme this weekend, so we scored Watchmen bandanas from him. Watchmen's called Les Gardiens here. (Random aside: Disney's Bolt has been changed to Volt.)
One of the other things that separates Angouleme from other cons is that it's sponsored by French car company Citroen, and they provide the show with a fleet of cars and drivers to move the con guests around town, every after late nights of drinking! It was a quick drive to my hotel, the Mercure Nord, which has recently been remodeled, much to my liking. Very art deco now, but not small and dainty and uncomfortable like some places. This cool room has a big bed, new modern bathroom, flat screen TV, free wireless, two sofas... all very classy.
I also received my Angouleme BD 2009 Welcome Folder which made me giddy.
As DRAIN was released in French and seems to be selling rather well, this is my first time here as an actual "auteur" and I feel all special. They made sure to bring in plenty copies for me to sign over the next four days.
I still can't believe I'm signing here. As an actual creator! Alongside the big guns of European comics!! It still makes my head spin thinking about it...
That's it for now as I have to run to a welcome dinner, but I'll definitely be posting more news and photos all weekend long! Stay tuned...
Walking into Gare Montparnasse in Paris to catch the TGV to Angouleme is just like walking into JFK to board aplane to San Diego Comic Con... it's a who's who of European comic creators. I was there with Olivier Jalabert from Soleil and we ran into all kinds of folks heading to the con; Olivier Vatine, Nic Kermidas, Theirry from Delcourt, and even Eric Powell, who I'd surprisingly never met before. The party started there as beers were bought and the train was boarded.
Oliver got us upgraded to first class (score!) and we ended up sitting with Diane and Jean-Jean Launier, who run the amazing contemporary art gallery Arludik in Paris. After apologizing for not attending last night's Ronnie Del Carmen/Enrico Casarosa/Tadahiro Uesugi show opening, we settled in for a wonderful chat about international comics and art and the two hour train ride flew by. Jean-Jacques also does some work for Fox France and they're starting their Watchmen promotion in Angouleme this weekend, so we scored Watchmen bandanas from him. Watchmen's called Les Gardiens here. (Random aside: Disney's Bolt has been changed to Volt.)
One of the other things that separates Angouleme from other cons is that it's sponsored by French car company Citroen, and they provide the show with a fleet of cars and drivers to move the con guests around town, every after late nights of drinking! It was a quick drive to my hotel, the Mercure Nord, which has recently been remodeled, much to my liking. Very art deco now, but not small and dainty and uncomfortable like some places. This cool room has a big bed, new modern bathroom, flat screen TV, free wireless, two sofas... all very classy.
I also received my Angouleme BD 2009 Welcome Folder which made me giddy.
As DRAIN was released in French and seems to be selling rather well, this is my first time here as an actual "auteur" and I feel all special. They made sure to bring in plenty copies for me to sign over the next four days.
I still can't believe I'm signing here. As an actual creator! Alongside the big guns of European comics!! It still makes my head spin thinking about it...
That's it for now as I have to run to a welcome dinner, but I'll definitely be posting more news and photos all weekend long! Stay tuned...
Goodbye Paris, Hello Cognac
Yeah, I know, no blogging from the Paris part of this trip. I suck. But I was really here! See...
Despite being in town for business, it's the first time in years I was able to break away for a few hours a day to sightsee and revisit places I haven't been to since I was a kid. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Pantheon, the Pompidou, Les Jardins de Luxembourg... and today I'm off to the The Louvre for a few hours to check out their comic book exhibit.
And yes, I ate and drank very well thanks to many of my fine friends here.
This afternoon I board a train and head up to Angouelme for the comic festival there, which is one of the biggest in the world. It's the first time I'm attending as a published "writer" in France, so I have a pretty busy schedule. Between that and my Marvel appointments, I'm freaking me out a bit and hope I have time to see and enjoy some of the rest of the con. We'll see. I'll be sure to post more regularly once I there...
Despite being in town for business, it's the first time in years I was able to break away for a few hours a day to sightsee and revisit places I haven't been to since I was a kid. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Pantheon, the Pompidou, Les Jardins de Luxembourg... and today I'm off to the The Louvre for a few hours to check out their comic book exhibit.
And yes, I ate and drank very well thanks to many of my fine friends here.
This afternoon I board a train and head up to Angouelme for the comic festival there, which is one of the biggest in the world. It's the first time I'm attending as a published "writer" in France, so I have a pretty busy schedule. Between that and my Marvel appointments, I'm freaking me out a bit and hope I have time to see and enjoy some of the rest of the con. We'll see. I'll be sure to post more regularly once I there...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Millennium Falcon Origami
My favorite spaceship made from paper... Too cool not to share!
Courtesy of Philip Schulz and wired.com.
Courtesy of Philip Schulz and wired.com.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
WOK: Darkhawk Interview and Preview Art
CBR just posted an interview with yours truly about War of Kings: Darkhawk, as well as previewing some of Harvey Tolibao and Jay David Ramos' incredible interior pages. You can find it here. And that killer cover is by Brandon Peterson!
Monday, January 12, 2009
And if you're at the comic store this week...
...also be sure to check out Green Arrow/Black Canary #16.
Yes, I know it's weird for me to be recommending a DC title, but my buddy Mike Norton drew me into the book as a character, pre-beard, and nice things do not happen to me. Go and see for yourself.
Here's a sneak peak...
Yes, I know it's weird for me to be recommending a DC title, but my buddy Mike Norton drew me into the book as a character, pre-beard, and nice things do not happen to me. Go and see for yourself.
Here's a sneak peak...
X-Infernus 2 On Sale This Week!
You can check out an extended preview of our second issue here!
And in case you missed the sold out first issue, a new second printing will also go on sale this Wednesday!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
An Apt Horoscope...
...for my New Year!
Much of your energy is wrapped up in the lives of others. When it's your time, read literature reminiscent of your childhood. This trip down memory lane will open up new creative doors for you. Venture out with friends.
Much of your energy is wrapped up in the lives of others. When it's your time, read literature reminiscent of your childhood. This trip down memory lane will open up new creative doors for you. Venture out with friends.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Why Get Up?
In the past I've posted pics of cool Japanese "Star Trek toilets" to spotlight all the cool things they can do. But I snapped a shot of this john as I found it funny that they put an ashtray right there in the bathroom for you. Why get up when you can smoke and shit at the same time, eh?!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Kinosaki Quick Hits
I've been offline for the last few days as we went up the coast on the Japan Sea side of the country to visit Mutsumi's grandmother and relatives there. We spent the first day of the trip at Kinosaki Onsen, which is an area famous for its numerous hot springs and baths. Even after the New Year holiday, most of the "ryokan" or Japanese inns were still all booked up, but Mutsumi managed to get us a room at a place called Yamamoto Ya, which is owned by the same family that runs the local micro-brewery. So I knew we were in good hands! I thought I'd post a few quick pics and vids of our room up there for you to check out.
I spent a lot of time in this chair enjoying the garden outside our window while pondering the future upon my return to NYC...
Here's a better look at it courtesy of my new camera which I remembered also takes video. Forgive my gravely morning voice...
A quick tour of our room...
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A family photo...
I spent a lot of time in this chair enjoying the garden outside our window while pondering the future upon my return to NYC...
Here's a better look at it courtesy of my new camera which I remembered also takes video. Forgive my gravely morning voice...
A quick tour of our room...
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A family photo...
Where's The Beef?
Right here in Kobe, of course!
We scored four more pounds of the best beef Kobe has to offer on New Year's Eve...
...and had a sukiyaki party!
The theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey playing in the background of this video was totally coincidental, but kind of appropriate, I think.
And you don't even wanna know what that meal cost us! :(
However, I will tell you I had no problem shelling out over $80 for a box of sea urchin (uni) flown in fresh from Hokkaido, Japan's northern most island. It was to die for...
We scored four more pounds of the best beef Kobe has to offer on New Year's Eve...
...and had a sukiyaki party!
The theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey playing in the background of this video was totally coincidental, but kind of appropriate, I think.
And you don't even wanna know what that meal cost us! :(
However, I will tell you I had no problem shelling out over $80 for a box of sea urchin (uni) flown in fresh from Hokkaido, Japan's northern most island. It was to die for...
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Balconies of the World
French comic scribe J.D. Morvan sent around his annual New Year's best wishes and asked all his friends and fans to send him back a picture taken from of their balcony that day. More than a few people responded, so he's started an online gallery posting these veranda views from around the world. It's a very cool and ever-growing collection of pictures that you can view here.
Here's the image I sent over to him from our balcony here in Kobe...
Here's the image I sent over to him from our balcony here in Kobe...
Lonely Night
This was the image that accompanied a reminder in the newspapers here that the national suicide hotline would remain open during the New Year's holidays, which is said to be a depressing time for many people and when suicide rates tend to climb. Is it wrong that I find it kind of cute and funny?
No Free Drinks Though
Sexual harassment still runs rampant on the packed trains here, and while women have gotten more vocal about reporting the perverts who fondle them, the railways still try and curb the problem by making many of the train cars 'Ladies Only' during rush hour.
I find it a bit sad and disturbing every time I see one of these signs as they serve as a constant reminder of how seedy parts of this wonderful culture still are...
I find it a bit sad and disturbing every time I see one of these signs as they serve as a constant reminder of how seedy parts of this wonderful culture still are...
Saturday, January 03, 2009
On Sale Now!
The final chapter of "What If the Runaways Had Become the Young Avengers?" by me, Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante and John Rauch is on sale now in this week's WHAT IF? SECRET WARS comic. This issue's awesome cover is by X-Infernus artist Giuseppe "Cammo" Camuncoli and painted by Marko Djurdjevic!
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