Go! Mighty Orbots!

So I was sitting there, innocently minding my own business at my table at the New York Comic-Con when someone comes up and says "Can you draw The Mighty Orbots?"

When I was a kid I loved The Mighty Orbots. It was the first Japanese animated cartoon that I can remember on Saturday mornings. And it was the first (again, that I recall) written for America. Battle of the Planets and Star Blazers were in syndication, but they were translated from the original country. Orbots featured writers like Michael Reaves, who worked with the studio on the show, and Marc Scott Zicree, both of whom would later work on Batman: The Animated Series. The resulting blend was a cartoon that mixed Japanese animation style with American writing sensibilites. It gave it a very different and very cool energy.

Having said that, I couldn't draw the Orbots cold. The series has never been released on DVD, and man, that's a crime. Of course some people have released bootlegs of the series. I wouldn't know anything about that. But, I was able to draw the requested characters (Bo and Boo, the sister robots) once I got home. Make of that what you will.

One of the things I love about doing con sketches is the great selection of characters other people come up with. As much as I loved Orbots, I never would have thought to draw them. I'm glad my purchaser suggested it, though.

Radio Randomness

As part of the Free Comic Book Day festivities, I'll be on the Mud, Mihalik and Mike Radio Show Wednesday, April 30, to talk about Free Comic Book Day, the FCBD promotion with the Lake County Captains, and comics in general. It should be eight kinds of fun. I'll be on sometime in the 9:00 hour, and you can hear them in the Greater Cleveland area on WNCX 98.5FM. You can listen online at their website, too.

It's Starting To Spread

Blog@Newsarama.com has a post from JK Parkin about the release of the Love and Capes trade. The good news is starting to spread.

IDW and Love and Capes... Like Chocolate and Peanut Butter

Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall has made the official announcement on his blog. I am humbled by the nice things he said, and as most of you know, that takes a LOT. Here's the official press release...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The romance continues for Love and Capes Creator Thom Zahler’s super-romantic comic book gets its first trade paperback release from IDW Publishing

San Diego, CA (April 24, 2008)—In many superhero titles, the action comes first and the relationship between the hero and their significant other can be pushed to the sidelines. But not so in creator Thom Zahler’s Love and Capes, a heroically romantic situation comedy in comic book form. The six-part series, in which Zahler handled story and art to critical acclaim and fan adoration, will be collected for the first time in a trade paperback to be released by IDW Publishing this November.

The series has been praised by Harlan Ellison and reviewer Tony Isabella, as well as Salon.com, which awarded an A- grade to the title, calling it “a surprisingly charming tale about a hardworking superhero and his girlfriend. Thomas F. Zahler’s boldly cartoony artwork recalls The Incredibles, and so does his wry, smart dialogue.”

The trade paperback, 152-page collection of the first six issues, will be adorned by a new cover from Zahler. And the story continues on, too. Fans who are curious about the title can read an all-new adventure in the Love and Capes Free Comic Book Day edition that Zahler is releasing on May 3, 2008.

In Love and Capes, Abby and Mark are a typical couple. At least, that's what Abby thinks. Unknown to her, her boyfriend is not just an accountant, but also the super-powered crime-fighter, the Crusader. See Mark tell Abby he's The Crusader. Find out how Abby deals with some of his super-ex-girlfriends. And learn the difference between a weakness and an allergy. Experience their first Christmas and beyond!

“When a writer of Harlan Ellison’s pedigree calls and gushes about a comic book, like he did with Love and Capes,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, “I tend to listen. I really love the sweetness and humor of Thom’s comic—maybe only Tom Beland is writing comics that have as much heart as this book—and was all too happy to put out the first LNC collection under the IDW banner.”

“ I’m thrilled to be working with IDW and doing this collection,” said Thom Zahler. “It’ll be great for the current fans, who have often requested this, and will hopefully expose the series to a whole new audience.”

Love and Capes, a $19.99, 152-page trade paperback (ISBN: 978-1-60010-275-2) will be released in November 2008. For more information on the comic can be found at www.loveandcapes.com.

About IDW: IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, Calif. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.

About Thom Zahler Thom Zahler is a writer and cartoonist living in northeast Ohio. He has won several awards for his work, including a 2006 Cleveland Press Club award for his work for Scene Magazine. He is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and has worked for the Cleveland Indians, the Colorado Rockies, Marvel Comics and Warner International Publishing. His work has been seen across the country on the national 2004 Prilosec advertising campaign. Recently, he co-authored a Star Trek: The Next Generation short story (with Bob Ingersoll) published in Pocket Books’ Star Trek: The Sky’s the Limit collection. More information about him can be found at http://www.thomz.com

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CAPE and Crusading

This time next week, I'll be winging my way down to Big D (that's Dallas for all you Yankees) for CAPE! Cape is the annual Comic and Pop Culture Expo and the largest Free Comic Book Day event on the planet. I'll be there, Love and Capes #1-6 in tow. And I think I read somewhere that issue #7 is part of FCBD and you can pick that up for free. Yes, now that I think about it, that does sound familar.

I'm really looking forward to the event, and FCBD in general. I'm thrilled to participate and it really is one of my favorite days of the year.

Goin' Rogue

There were a couple of commissions from New York that I had to take home. I do offer to color the pieces (for an extra fee, of course), and I need my computer rig to do that. One of those was this piece of Rogue from the X-Men. I did the black-and-white inked piece at the show and showed it to the soon-to-be owner, who liked it. Then I brought it home and colored it.

I've got two more of these to go. I'm glad that these commissions have become part of my con experience. They're so much fun to do.

You're Something Special When You've Been Selected for Del's Folks

(That's how the theme goes, it's not just a rampaging ego... this time.)

Four years ago I was the feature of Del's Folks, a weekly interesting-people segment on Cleveland's WKYC-TV3. Obviously Del had run out of fascinating people and came to my name in the alphabet. We chatted about my work with the Indians, how I got started in art, all of that kind of stuff.

I've been on the news and radio a few times in my career, and the Del's Folks spot is still probably my favorite. And Del's a great guy. I watched him and Tom Haley on Today in Cleveland every morning before catching the bus for high school. He's retired now, but he's still on TV every week. That's my kind of retirement.

Del may move a little slower than he used to, but he's still sharp as ever. When he called asking me about re-running the segment, he left a message on my voice mail at 1:00pm saying "I know you cartoonists sleep all day, so I guess I called too early."

If I have to get older, I want to get older like him.

Anyway, the segment will rerun during Channel Three News Saturday, on from 9:00-10:30 on Saturday, April 26.

I'm Just Not Smart Enough

I did have one problem with the New York Comic-Con. I wasn't smart enough to make The Joke. I know it's there, I just can't get there. Here's what we had:

1. The Pope was in town.
2. The previous Pope had a comic or two.
3. The New York Comic-Con was in town.
4. Richard Branson owns Virgin Comics.

Somewhere, there's a joke that ends with them forming a joint company called Blessed/Virgin Comics. I just can't seem to make it happen.

New York Comic-Con Day Three: The One Where I Type Wearing Shorts!

It's seventy degrees here in Cleveland, and you know what that means… Convertible Day!…and a slightly more relaxed dress code here at Thom Zahler World Headquarters.

I rolled in back to said World Headquarters around 2:00 am this morning after a pleasant and uneventful drive back from New York. Well, there was a moment of crisis when I managed to spill half of a venti mocha on Bob and the floor of my Dad's Subaru. Bob is unhurt, and now my Dad's car smells like these retired Yankee Candle scents. I think of that as an added value.

So, let's get in the Wayback Machine and set the controls for Day Three of the New York Comic-Con.

Like before, I ran into a bunch of friends and acquaintences. They include but are not limited to Amy Wolfram, Jann Jones, David Gallaher, Richard Howell, Ronn Sutton, Alberto Ruiz , Steve Silver, Mike Manley, Jamar Nicholas, and new Mid-Ohio-Con owner James Henry. I'm sure there were more, but my con-addled brain can't remember them all. Sorry to all I've forgotten.

I met a bunch of fans, and did a couple more commissions. One was a Buffy drawing that came out pretty well with Buffy dusting a vamp. It was a complicated layout for a con sketch and came out well. Since I don't have a scan of it, let's all agree that it was fantastic.

I also did a Batman piece for the lovely and talented Alexandra Beguez, who's a fine illustrator in her own right. She was gracious enough to scan it for me. So, click and embiggen if that's the way you roll.

As always, the work and networking thing was in full force. Bob and I may do another Star Trek pitch that we discussed on the ride home, and there's another thing that I may propose myself. I met some other new potential clients, and sold more than a few books and sketchbooks.

On Saturday, I did get to try out the complimentary Oxygen Bar, set up in the Pro Lounge (which was next to Small Press and Artists Alley, so big props to the show layer-outer guy for making that convenient). I pass them often in Vegas and always make fun of them. I'd wanted to try one, but the whole concept of paying for O2 seemed silly when there are perfectly good blackjack tables to put money onto. But free... now I can get behind that.

The tangerine oxygen didn't have much of a scent, but the peppermint did. I didn't try the mango chutney or the banana raspberry dacquri. (Okay, I made those last two up completely.) And by the way, I'm not smiling because for some reason the Javits center gives me chapped lips. A smile would have resulted in a little blood and pain.

I didn't feel particular energized or clear-headed from the oxygen hit, although I did figure out how to fix Aquaman and Hawkman! (Actually, I told a Comics Professional about the way I'd fix Hawkman continuity, and he said it was good. I won't embarass the guy publicly for such a pronouncement, but I'm a fan and it was nice to hear. Now, if only I could make it happen.)

I really like the New York Comic-Con, complimentary tables notwithstanding. It is, as Bob Ingersoll pointed out, an honest to God comic book show, rather than San Diego's media extravaganza or WizardChicago's "Wrestling counts, right?" melange. And there are just too many great artists, great people, and great contacts to be had to miss it again. In fact, I've already reserved my booth for next year.

Hope to see you there!

New York Comic Con Day Two: The One With Pictures

It's been another busy and very long day. But, I denied you pictures yesterday, so I'll supply a couple today, along with a quick hit of my day. I'll write more, and hopefully better and more cogently, when I get back in on Monday.

The show was much more crowded today, which was great. Great for the selling, not so much for the moving around. Still, if I have to pick between the two, I pick the selling. Books sold well, and I did a pretty good number of commissions, which is always fun. So far, I've done Mera, She-Hulk, Rogue, Power Girl, Jade and Wonder Woman.

I met a lot of people today. Too many to remember clearly. I got to see Amy Wolfram, absurdly talented write of the Teen Titans Year One series. I chatted with J.M. DeMatties, who seemed mildly impressed that I remembered specifics of his time writing on the SuperboyTV series.

I also talked to another couple of potential clients. I love doing that. The only thing I like more is making them actual clients.

Random con story: They've got a booth for the remake of The Andromeda Strain here. What swag are they giving out? Hand santizer. How perfect is that? There's a photo here but I'm afraid I couldn't get my camera to focus on the right part. Trust me, it says "Andromeda Strain."

Tonight I went out to dinner with Bob Ingersoll, Dwayne McDuffie, Charlotte Fullerton, Josephine Cashman, and a couple of people not in the industry so I won't name check them here. But, if you were to guess Pope Benedict... well, you'd be way wrong. We went to a southern/cajun place called Acme, which strangely did not sell giant rocket skates and jetpacks. Fortunately, the food was great. Sweet potato fries... mmmmmm.*

(* Homer Simpson drooling sound.)

All right, I'm pretty shot, and I've got another day of the con and a drive home ahead of me yet. Sleep now, more later,