Calgary Comic Expo Loot!

[brandolsn]

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo, April 26-27th 2008 - doors opened at 10am.

 

The first sketch I set up was with Bill Presing. I wanted him to do something nice in my Belle Du Jour book - so he did!

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379849&GSub=59213&GCat=226

 

Next I went to Marko Djurdjevic's table. I asked if he was up for a Hellboy sketch, and he was all for it. He worked on it for quite a while - and when he finished, I was blown away. His version of Hellboy is now my favorite along with Lee Bermejo's (besides Mignola of course). After my sketch was done I still kept walking by his table because he was doing such awesome stuff. One was a Green Goblin head sketch that was the best I've ever seen of the character.

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379654&GSub=59210&GCat=226

 

The third sketch I wanted to set up was with Ethan Van Sciver. He wasn't at the show when the doors opened Saturday as his flight was late and hadn't even arrived yet. Around 11am a line up started to form at his table, so I thought I'd better jump in - good thing because when he arrived he took a limited amount of full figure sketches to do overnight, and the list filled quick. He put me down for a Flash vs. Captain Cold piece. Sunday Morning I picked it up and gave him a high five It turned out amazing.

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379657&GSub=59212&GCat=226

 

David Petersen showed up even later than Ethan Van Sciver on Saturday because he too had a late flight. I didn't notice when he finally arrived, and by then the line up at his table was the biggest at the con yet. I love Mouse Guard but had no idea how popular Petersen is. I waited for the line up to shrink and asked if he was sketching, but he was only doing quickies. Sunday morning I checked again, and he agreed to do a Hellboy Jr. piece. He's the first artist I've seen pull out a bottle of ink to do a con sketch! I really appreciate that he took time to do it, and love how it turned out.

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379660&GSub=59211&GCat=226

 

The last artist I stood in line to get a sketch from was Bruce Timm. He was only there Sunday, and like some of the artists Saturday, his plane hadn't even arrived when the con started. He came straight from the airport and was greeted by a line up of over 40 people waiting at his table. He walked up with his suitcase and within a couple minutes had his pencil and markers out, and started head sketches. He is a true pro - did as many sketches as he could right up until the end of the day (around 50!). It's always a pleasure to get a something by him. This year I asked for a Hellboy.

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379836&GSub=57372&GCat=226

 

Each year the Calgary Expo produces an exclusive convention artbook featuring artwork by many of their guests. Each artist is asked to contribute a piece of art with a Western theme. The artists also donate the originals to be auctioned at the show with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary. The live auction was at the end of the day on Sunday. I was the high bidder for Bruce Timm's contribution,

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379666&GSub=57372&GCat=226

 

and also Bill Presing's contribution.

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=379667&GSub=59213&GCat=226

 

It was such a great show this year - the most fun I've had at a con. Most of these artists were pretty tired - it's not exactly a quick trip here, especially from the East coast - but despite that they were all awesome, really nice to talk to, and seemed happy to be there. (thumbs u

[slackjawcomics]

Very nice! love the hellboys!!

[MutantKeys]

Awesome stuff... I really like the Flash piece

[Pirate]

Where's the Nord?

[kimik]

Where's the Nord?

 

Cary showed up late and since he was not located with the rest of the big names very few people realized he was there. In addition, two of his artist friends were sitting in his booth at the start selling their stuff so a lot of people probably figured he would not be there. It worked out fine for the rest of us that saw him arrive late and put our names on the sketch list, though!

 

My only regret is that I did not ask for a Conan vs. Monster or something sketch like one of the other people did (Conan/Red Sonja).

 

 

[kimik]

Great stuff Brandon! I really like the EVS sketch - you were smart to get in line and get it done as soon as possible on Saturday. It looks great!

 

 

[kimik]

Most of these artists were pretty tired - it's not exactly a quick trip here, especially from the East coast - but despite that they were all awesome, really nice to talk to, and seemed happy to be there. (thumbs u

 

I wonder if hitting the hotel bar on Friday and Saturday night had anything to do with this as well......

[mrpunch0]

That's a great haul. The Hellboy Jr has to be my favorite.

[brandolsn]

Thanks for the comments!

 

Re: Cary Nord - I did see him and asked about his Conan originals again (first asked him a couple years ago, and have checked a couple times since) - but he still doesn't seem interested in selling them yet.