Six Years of Boo at the Zoo

Since 2002, I've been the caricaturist for the Cleveland Metroparks Boo at the Zoo. It's a Halloween event for kids that the Zoo holds the two weekends before Halloween. It's been a blast. It originally was a two day event, and over the years has become a four-day extravaganza over two weeks. And, while drawing 100 kids a night for four days straight, sometimes in the rain, wind and cold, isn't the easiest way to spend an evening, it was always one of the most fun. The attendees were great, and it was always the most humbling event as more than a few people would tell me that they ran to my station to make sure they got in line for the free drawing that had become a family tradition. There are people who have six years of Thom Zahler caricatures on their wall, and that's just great.

Sadly, I won't be back this year. The Zoo has contracted with a new gift shop vendor this year, and their contract gives them the license to sell caricatures at the event. I'm disappointed I can't be there this year, and I'll miss the kids and the great people at the Zoo. But, I understand the business end of things, too, and know that these things happen. No hard feelings there, and hopefully we'll be able to find other things in the future. And, if things ever change, I'll be back Booing and Zooing in a heartbeat.

I figured I'd mention it here because there are those loyal throngs of people who show up, some of whom read this site, and want them to know that I'd still be there if I could. My lines were frequently over an hour and a half long, so maybe this will give those kids a chance to see some parts of the Zoo that they'd skipped because they were in my line.

It's been a great six years! Thanks for everyone who came by and made it one of my favorite events to do. Hopefully I'll see you somewhere soon.

It's Deep and I Don't Think It's Playable

My friend Mike and I were going to go to the Indians game last night. Then my Mom's Uncle called, because he'd gotten tickets, too, that he couldn't use. And his were for the "all you can eat" club seats. That was pretty cool.

The game happened to fall on a day that Cliff Lee, our amazing left-handed 22-game winner, and bright spot in a lackluster season. We were hoping to see him win number 23 (sadly, he didn't, but at least he got a no decision). But he did throw a pitch to Matt Tolbert of the Kansas City Royals, who fouled it off... up above the club seats... where it bounced off of the upper deck... back to the club seats... towards me... off the head or the drink of the kid in front of me... and to me.

I went to my first game thirty years ago, and have seen a more than a few, especially since the mid-90's renaissance. I've been to Aeros and Captains games, as well as ones in Oakland and Texas and San Francisco. I've never in any way caught a foul ball. I have to say it's pretty cool. It's up on my bookshelf now, along with the ticket from the game.

It was a fun night. And hey, the club seats with Cajun Rubbed Chicken at the carving station and an ice cream bar didn't hurt either. Good times... good times.

Coming Soon!

More details as they become available. Diane Jenda. Photo by Dave Kemp. www.davidkphoto.com

Sixteen Boxes of Comic Book Sitcom Goodness

Hey, look what fell off the truck today!

Books will be in stores in the beginning of October, and for sale on the store site shortly thereafter.

When Nine's Not Enough

As I'm working on Love and Capes #9," I've just signed up to do Love and Capes #10 as part of Free Comic Book Day. My mind is wobbling.

More on Board

Indie Comic Book Noise's Angie has given a recommendation for the Love and Capes trade on the Indie Comic Book Noise Podcast, number 212. Hey, what can I say, she's righ. If you'd ike to check out the podcast, click here.

Reason #1 to Buy the LNC Trade from IDW

First, let's recap the previous answers:

10. If you don’t buy it, Memphisto may erase Mark and Abby’s relationship from existence. Don’t let him win!
9. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have identical positions on Love and Capes.(Neither have read it.)
8. It’s on page 293 of Previews, and you know they only put the best stuff there.
7. Gail Simone says, "A book full of rare delights–bright, lively art, a fun and clever story told with perfect pacing…Thom’s doing great work on an irreplaceable book."
6. Every time you buy a copy, a Victoria’s Secret Angel gets her wings.
5. Kurt Busiek’s one thing, but how many people get the coveted ANN Busiek recommendation?
4. Remember how you said you’d wait for the trade? Wait’s over, champ.
3. No crossovers. No angst. No pointless deaths. No kidding.
2. It’s easily 100 times funnier than that Seinfeld/Gates commercial.

and finally, the number one reason to by the Love and Capes trade.

1. It's a good book and you'll like it. What? Is there a better reason to buy a book than that?

Diamond Previews order code SEP084142E.

The devil will drag you under by the sharp lapels of your checkered coat

Here's a panel from page two of Love and Capes #9. It's blissfully opaque, so what's going on won't be clear or spoil anything. It does reveal one of my favorite super villain names ever, "Isle Robot." I've read that Isaac Asimov was a fan of puns. I'd like to think somewhere he's laughing, at least a little bit.

I think the colors and the drawing seems to be working pretty well. There's always a fear that I will have a couple pages of getting up to speed, and I think I jumped in from my month-long break pretty well.

Reason #2 to Buy the LNC Trade from IDW

2. It's easily 100 times funnier than that Seinfeld/Gates commercial.

Diamond Previews order code SEP084142E.

Reason #3 to Buy the LNC Trade from IDW

3. No crossovers. No angst. No pointless deaths. No kidding.

Diamond Previews order code SEP084142E.