July
28th , 2004 - wednesday
I stayed up way too late putting together this
photo essay last night. The sun was coming up when I finished
and I then drove down to my parents' house about 50 miles from
here, trying to stay awake by sticking my head out the window
of the car. Well, it's a good thing it's done.
Anyway,
some highlights from the Con:
Copies
of FLIGHT sold like you wouldn't believe. Copies of the book flew
off the table. It was surreal.
The
Buca
Di Beppo dinner. The event was madness, but I can't begin
to describe how happy I felt seeing everyone enjoying each others'
company, eating and drinking the night away. I stood in the middle
of it all for a few moments, looked around, and smiled on the
inside. Scott McCloud's toast made me turn red, and I just couldn't
believe how so many people I respected were cheering for me for
organizing the event. Strange, but so wonderful.
Meeting
Jeff Smith. At Comic-Cons past I patiently stood in the long
lines at his booth, worried my palms were too clammy or that I
would sound like a crazy fanboy when I approached him, and I realized
then how much respect I had for this man... Now I've met quite
a few famous people I respect, and I am almost never phased by
it, but every time I see Jeff Smith I turn into a giddy ten year-old
fan. I believe that if I were to meet Miyazaki, I would simply
pass out. Jeff Smith gave the Flight crew a copy of the Complete
Bone hardcover edition signed "your fan, Jeff Smith"
Our fan! :D !!!! (go to Boneville!)
Meeting
the Penny Arcade guys!
I've been a reader of their comics for a while now and I think
I get more thank yous from friends for recommending Penny Arcade
than anything else I recommend on this site. Gabe and Tycho are
really genuinely nice people and I had a blast chatting with them.
I also sat down to watch the first half hour of their Comic-Con
panel, (along with Scott Kurtz
and Richard Stevens)
and they were absolutely hilarious. I think amongst all of the
people I met at the Con, I was most impressed by these guys. With
their professionalism, down-to-earth personalities, and great
fan interaction, it's no wonder Penny Arcade is the web's most
popular comic. I also invited them to contribute to a future volume
of Flight, so I can't wait to see what they come up with!
I
love the guys at Viper Comics.
They did such a great job with Daisy Kutter and I have become
big fans of the work they all do. Meeting them was like seeing
old family members that I already knew and loved. Jessie, Jim,
Greg, it was great meeting you guys!
And
of course...
Meeting
and hanging out with the Flight crew. I am convinced these people
are the sweetest human beings on the planet. When people tell
me how hard it must have been to put together this book, I usually
tell them it wasn't as difficult as everyone imagines. Just spend
a few minutes hanging out with these people and you'll understand
why I feel this way. I really, really miss them all... But that's
such a wonderful feeling...
Scott
McCloud, thank you so much for everything. What Scott has done
for the book and for the other artists on the Flight crew is overwhelming.
Without Scott, I probably would not be drawing the kind of cartoons
I do today, since it was after reading Understanding Comics that
I had a newfound respect for an artform that I felt I was stuck
with; a medium that I once felt no one really respected. I'm glad
I changed my mind about it, and I have Scott to thank. So again,
thanks Scott!!!!
Oh,
and speaking of Scotts, Scott Kurtz asked me to do a guest piece
for his wonderful comic, PVP. Check
it out! Scott and his wife Angela were also some of the nicest
people I hung out with at the Convention. Thanks for coming out
to dinner, you two!
Okay,
time for that ice cold beer...whew... I don't think I'll be forgetting
this Comic-Con any time soon...
July
26th , 2004 - monday
We
had a great time at the Con! I just got back from San Diego, so
I still have to unpack, organize, drink a beer, take a bath, and
decompress. When I'm done with that, I'll post a Con report. See
you soon!
In
the meantime, check
out some of the press Flight is getting. The reception for
our book was overwhelming....
Here
are some pictures and reports by:
Clio!
Erika!
Vera!
Enrico!
Larry and Amy!
and
a few more!