June 5th and 6th, 2010, was spent down at the annual Toronto ComiCON Fan Appreciation Event. I had an absolute blast at the show. In my personal opinion, it was a great show.
Another early start to this con, as Danny and I helped out with the unloading and set-up of the All New Comics booth on Saturday. It was a lot more physical labour than I like to do at 7:30-8am-ish, but it's all good, and for good people!
Although I didn't pick up much from the dealers, All New Comics and Shockwave Comics were the only two booth I picked stuff up from. I picked up the Wonder Woman DVD Maquette, Stumptown #1 (1st Printing), and DC Comics Presents #1 (Superman/Flash team-up) from All New Comics, and 5 copies of the Avengers #1 Blank Variant Cover from Shockwave Comics.
As for guests at the convention, it was announced the day before the convention, that Tim Bradstreet was unable to attend, due to personal matters. Also, Khoi Pham was unable to attend, with some very last minute problems. On the plus side, Tim Bradstreet mentions on his blog that he'll be appearing at Fan Expo Canada this August, with THOMAS JANE!
Although Tim Bradstreet was the top headliner for the show, I was more interested with Barry Kitson as the top creator I wanted to see, so he was the first person I went to.
About three hours later, I walked away with a magnificent piece for my collection (which is now on my wall).
For those that were in line, waiting patiently (or some, impatiently), while this piece was being done... and hating me in the process... I have to say that I did not request Wonder Woman coming out of the hat. I just wanted a Zatanna sketch, for my collection. It was Mr. Kitson's idea to add Wonder Woman into the piece, to which I am forever thankful for. He even asked me, "if you were to have a second choice of characters to get sketched, who would it be?" I thought he was going to change the Zatanna to a WW sketch, but started drawing her into the piece. I wasn't going tell him to stop. I don't art direct the artist.
I wanted to see Richard Isanove after Barry Kitson, but the line was quite long when I went over, and I was informed that Richard was leaving the convention early, so I had to miss out on him. He was someone I wanted to get something done by on Free Comic Book Day, but opted to wait for this convention to see him. Sadly, I missed out, and he's moving back to France, sometime before Fan Expo Canada. At least I was lucky enough to get a piece from him at last year's Fan Appreciation Event (someone bring him in for a store signing, quick! Please...)
I didn't have many goals to accomplish at this convention. I had a short list of creators that I wanted to get sketches from, so I really just spent the rest of the convention going around and getting those done, if I could.
I ended up getting two pieces done by Agnes Garbowska, throughout the weekend. The Power Girl/Supergirl piece, was something I was kicking around the ol' noggin' for a few days. Even though I have a sketch of each character, separately, by Agnes, I wanted to get one of them together... fighting over something. That was basically the description of the request. "Supergirl & Power Girl, fighting over something." That "something" became the last cookie.
To be honest, I'd fight you for the last cookie (yes, you reading this report). :p
The second piece, I came up with while re-organizing my backpack, just before going to Agnes with Danny's request. Two of the reference materials I had brought, caught my eye. One was Catwoman, one was Black Cat.
Then it's got me thinking, "These are two characters that have "Cat" in their names... and are both thieves... and are both borderline good/evil... Holy Crap! They are very similar! That's what I'm getting. Catwoman and Black Cat, stealing the same item."
Seriously... The similarities between the two characters clicked in with me at this convention.
Both pieces are just so cute and fun. Totally love them both.
Another creator I got two pieces from, Michael Cho. One of which, was a request I had put down for (Batgirl). The other, was a drawing that was already done, which he just gave to me (Captain America).
There is a back story to the second piece, but I won't get into it. All I will say, I believe all traces of it are gone.
For those that haven't seen Michael Cho's work before, be sure to check it out here. Just some absolutely gorgeous artwork done by him.
One of the late additions, Jeffrey "Chamba" Cruz. I have enjoyed his artwork on the Street Fighter II Turbo series, although I stopped collecting the series, 2/3 of the way through.
For him to travel up from Australia for this show, I wanted to get something done by him. It was one of those things where I didn't know if he would return to Toronto, and I like his work.
Also, I do enjoy Matt Moylan's webcomic, Lil Formers, whenever I do check it out, so a Zatanna in the Lil Formers style, was a pretty sweet addition to the collection.
In continuing with the Batgirl theme, I decided to get one from Marcus To. Just a great artist, and nice person.
This was a sketch request that I put down for early Sunday, which I picked up later in the afternoon.
Although it didn't take long to pick it up, this did allow for time to get some of the sketches above, and roam around the convention floor and dealer area. As I mentioned earlier, I only picked up stuff from two dealers. I did check out several others, but nothing caught my eye. Though, I was really just looking for books that I could use as reference material. Sadly, I was very unsuccessful at finding good enough books for reference material.
While continuing to roam around the con on Sunday, and seeing Danny still in Dale Keown's line, I noticed Ty Templeton over at the Toronto Cartoonists Workshop booth (just across from Dale's table). Figured this would be a perfect opportunity to add another Zatanna to the collection.
Ty is just an amazing individual. Great cartoonist. Always fun to listen to. So passionate about the industry, and helping out new creators with their works.
Last sketch of the show, by Shane Heron. He messaged me through BBM (Blackberry Messenger) during the mid-afternoon. Figuring he finally showed up, I headed over to see him, sitting at Phil McClorey's table (Furious Comics).
He was finishing a badass Dr. Doom sketch, when I blurted out, "Do Batman." First character that came to my mind, for some reason. Yes, when I see Dr. Doom, I think Batman... apparently...
Shane did have a half-finished Batman, which he finished off and gave to me. Verdict, the sketch was "pretty good"!
After the convention on Sunday, Danny and I head over to Smoke's Poutinerie, for some dinner, before heading home. Wanted to try Burrito Boyz, but I keep ordering the large size poutine, which really fills me up.
Sadly, the night before, Danny and I were unable to attend the Joe Shuster Awards Ceremony. Since our mother's birthday was on Monday, we did have plans on Saturday evening, to celebrate her birthday. It's been tough to work things around her schedule, since she does nearly 12-hr work days, even since she opened up her restaurant (Lucky Bamboo, 3175 Rutherford Rd., Vaughan, ON), so Saturday, it was.
Congratulations to all the Winners of the Awards, and Congrats to all the nominees as well. Excellent group of works and creators this year!
Thanks to everyone that helped put on the convention as well. Tiz, Kevin, Aman, James, Ty, and others. Had an absolute blast at this show. Looking forward to Fan Expo Canada!
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