I'll be at Fiesta Equestria!
It's been announced that I will be at guest at Fiesta Equestria in Houston. The show will be July 11-13 at the Houston Marriott Westchase, and I'll be there along with other Pony People… including Brenda Crichlow, the voice of Zecora. Since I wrote the recent Zecora/Fluttershy issue, I'm particularly looking forward to meeting her. I'll be bringing copies of the Pony books I worked on, sketchcards, and be taking and doing commissions, too. Hope to see you there.
Play Ball
Yesterday was my big day throwing the first pitch and being part of the Akron Comicon day at the Akron Rubber Ducks game. The first thing I learned was that it's not so much "the first pitch" but "one of the first". There were fourteen of us throwing out ceremonial first pitches. So, technically, I was the twelfth pitch. But I don't care, it was still awesome.
I was practicing with my Dad for the last week or so because I respect our national pastime. Also, I didn't want to embarrass myself. We wound up throwing from the mound, which I hadn't practiced, but I managed to clear the distance which was the important thing to me. My pitch was ultimately high and outside, so I like to think of it as practicing my brushback move.
After that, I hung out at my table and signed posters and gave away comics. I think the mini comic con went really well, and I hope that this will be the first of many such events.
I even got to sign alongside Webster, the Akron Rubber Duck mascot. I'm the one without the feathers.
Comics that Changed My Life: Superman #290
This is the first in a series of five posts about comics that made an impact on me growing up. I'm not talking about anything I worked on as a professional, but books I bought that influenced me as a creator and as a person. I don't actually remember my first comic book. They were always part of my life. But this is the earliest comic book that I can remember. I remember my Dad reading it to me. I was reading from a really early age, and my parents used comics as a reward system. [image src="http://thomz.com/blogall/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/superman290.jpg" align="left" border="image_border" link="https://www.amazon.com/Superman-1939-290-DC-Comics/dp/B005UQZ540/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=thozahartstu-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=3TPWMPVNUB4TLJ3I&creativeASIN=B005UQZ540" alt="" title="" lightbox="false" ]Clean your room, get a comic, that kind of thing. We bought them on vacations and at flea markets. They were always around.
I also don't remember a time where I didn't want to do comics. I've always known it was what I wanted to do. In some way, this is the comic that sent me on that journey.
A Stormtrooper in Lederhosen
My art book is called Rhinos Bowling because I realized that what my world involved one day. Yesterday was Stormtroopers Wearing Lederhosen. I can't say what it's for yet, though once I can, rest assured that I will. For now, I leave you to wonder how they can drink beer through their helmets.
Sometimes People Bring Me Things
I have great fans and friends. At Comicpalooza, I've made the acquaintance of a couple people who work at and with the Houston Space Center. One of them, Rick, was kind enough to bring me some Orion stuff. I can't express how cool this is.
Have Some Comicpalooza Commissions!
While I'm waiting for United to find the bag that they lost on my direct flight (what the heck?) back from Houston yesterday, I thought I'd share some of the commissions that I did over the long weekend. There was a great mix of Ponies, heroes and some obscure cool stuff. Check out in particular the tae kwon do pony I drew to look like the girl who bought it, and some of the obscure Martian Manhunter characters. Take that David Goyer!
The Adventure of the Red M&M's
So here's what happened. A couple days ago I get a mildly frantic email from the Andrew at Comicpalooza. They're trying to accommodate me for the Pony spotlight panel that I'm insisting on. Only one problem: I never did that.
What happened, I think, was a game of telephone. Someone asked me online if I was on any of the Pony panels. I said that I hadn't been asked but if offered, I'd be glad to do so. That metamorphosed into a prima donna demand about how I just had to have a panel all about me.
Andrew and I quickly set things right. In fact, I have now been asked to be on the 2:00 Houston Brony panel today and tomorrow's 5:00 Pony Draw Along. But then, after establishing myself as a reasonable creator again, I did joke: "But I insist on ONLY red M&M's. This is NOT NEGOTIABLE!" And we laughed.
And so, Friday morning, Andrew comes to my booth and gives me a bag of red M&M's. Totally made my day. Bravo, sir!
Take Me Out To the Ball Game
I'm on my way down to Comicpalooza today, but I just got the official okay to announce that I'll be at the Akron Rubber Ducks game as part of their comic event and to promote November's Akron Comicon. I've done a poster for the day which features their Webster, the Ducks' mascot and the Crusader from Love and Capes.
Also, I'm going to fulfill a long-time dream and throw out the first pitch. And yes, I am absolutely practicing. My goal is to not appear on YouTube the next day.
The Akron Rubber Ducks (formerly the Aeros) are the AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Just in case you didn't know.
Crusaders (Cutie Marks and Mine) for Comicpalooza!
Here's a commission that I did in advance for Comicpalooza this weekend. He wanted Scootaloo from My Little Pony's Cutie Mark Crusaders flying with my Crusader, from Love and Capes, obviously, in a kind of Can You Read My Mind kind of way. It's not the kind of combo I would have thought of at all, but I think it came out really well.
This is probably a fine time to mention that I've updated my commissions page, too.
Doctor Who Commissions
My friend Jesse Jackson has an awesomely cool Doctor Who sketchbook. You see, he commissions DW art and has those pages, rather than promo photos, signed by the actors at shows. I think it's a great and more personal way to celebrate the show. I've been fortunate enough to do more than a few pieces for his book, including a new Colin baker Doctor, Madame Vastra, Captain Jack Harkness and Paul McGann Doctor. I thought I'd share them here.