My Long Post on Planet Comicon 2011
March 27, 2011
Planet Comicon is over for 2011. Usually this local Kansas City con is the biggest (and sometimes only) convention I get to go to every year. So even though I have to wait a year for the next one, this years would be a hard one to top. There were lots of artists and writers in attendance and I enjoyed chatting it up with them all!
Speaking of Jason, had to hit him up to get signatures to complete his Weapon X run and almost complete Astonishing Spider-man/Wolverine series. I may be late on the bandwagon, but I picked up the first five issues of Scalped to try. I've heard and read such great reviews and much like Sixth Gun, would hate to think I missed out on a great book.

Right next to him was Gail Simone. This would be the third time I've seen her at a con, which for not being part of the "mid west mafia" is pretty neat. It was great that she came to Kansas City, there was a great turn out for the show this year and it'd be great if the trend continued. She's great to her fans and enjoyed meeting her again.
Going further down the table was Francesco Francavilla. I only had a few books for him to sign which is a shame, I like a lot of his sketches on Comic Twart. I did happen to get the first issue of Lone Ranger: Death of Zorro and a few issues of Sorrow signed. I also gave a flier to Francesco, it would be cool to be drawn in his style.
One of the true surprises of the show was meeting Seth Peck (co-writer on Sorrow). I meet him first while over at Jason Aaron's table. Then again in my attempt to check in with B. Clay Moore. He's like... everybody's friend. He was just super friendly and very helpful. He too has one of those secret Marvel projects in the works. I look forward to hearing news on it.
Alright we're past the half way point. Still reading this?
I had to see Jeremy Haun, recent Top Cow exclusive artist (and DMI artist). He's a nice guy, always willing to chat. I've recently been trying to find out about purchasing the page he drew me in of Red Hood. Between him and his art dealer it's in a state of limbo. Hope it shows up somewhere. Aside from the great work he's been doing, he's also been doing a great job keeping up with his blog so I gave him props for doing so. It takes time to update these blogs, that's for sure.
Right next to Jeremy was Freddie Williams II. It's always a pleasure to talk to him and his wife. They're like the most friendliest comic couple to meet. I had picked up two of his most recent sketchbooks (gotta complete the collection you know) and I need to e-mail him, but they were awesome. Freddie's current book JSA All-Stars will be wrapping soon, but look for a future announcement for a new DC project!
Stopped by Ande Parks to get a few books signed. He's done a lot of inking work in the past but lately has been a writer, mostly titles over at Dynamite. He's written the graphic novels Union Station and Capote in Kansas and working on a new OGN. I asked who the artist was and he said Greg Smallwood. Now the name might not come to mind, seeing as this would be his first big comic book gig. But the name rings familiar to me; not only is he also a native from my hometown, but also was a good friend to me for many years. I managed to run into Greg at the con and congratulated him on the project. Even though Ande had said he'd pass my flier on to "the artist", Greg confirmed he'd put me in. I'm glad he's getting his work out there.
Right next door was artist/writer Phil Hester. His latest book was originally scheduled to come out the Wednesday before the show but was pushed back a week which of course was really bad timing. That comic of course was pencilling on Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters! Phil had a few pages of the title and holy crap, he draws a really great Godzilla. It's unfortunate that he's only doing the first arc. But anyway... it's almost a running gag with me and him it seems, where every year I give him a new flier, he smiles and I'll say, "see ya next year". Well this year he threw me for a loop. He said he might try to get me in an issue, "probably getting killed by Godzilla". I was stunned at first, he could have came around the table and pushed me... I would have fallen over I was so shocked. DUDE! I've been a Godzilla fan since 2nd grade! And I've been hounding you for years! Being killed by the Kind of Monsters? I welcome it!
I must have asked everyone where Alex Grecian was sitting, when in fact I probably walked past him a dozen times. I found him though and continued to get any and all things Proof signed. As of this post, my latest appearance was in Proof: Endangered #2. I told him that Proof artist Riley Rossmo had already drawn me into his next project Green Wake. Both Alex and Riley rock on Proof and are great to their fans. Alex said he had a few projects down the line including working on a Novel. Thanks for chatting with me as always.

He was sketching during the day and had a panel to attend, but towards the end of the show Tony Moore was now signing. And I'm glad I got in line when I did. It ended up being a long line! Tony was signing a lot of stuff but it didn't seem to phase him none. I had talked with him earlier in the day for fear I wouldn't make the signing time. He's was very friendly to me, and I complimented him on his current Venom work. I was happy to get signatures on the Walking Dead titles he'd done and of course gave him a flier. I'm not entirely sure if it was something he was up for, but I hope I'm wrong. He'd been a KC local for a while but has since moved to Cincinnati. I'm glad he still comes back to the show and look forward to meeting him, along with all the mid west guys again next year.
Well I think that's the longest post I've ever typed up. Best. Planet Comicon. Ever.
It was great to meet and talk to everybody at the show. 2011 truly is going to be a great year!
Labels: Planet Comicon 2011