If you've read UNDERTOW #1 please write to me so I can put your letter in #2!

This past weekend I joined what I've come to call my Texas Family in Mesa, Arizona for the Amazing Arizona Comic Con. This is only the second convention I've attended as an exhibitor, and the very first for the first issue of my self-published comic UNDERTOW (available at the right for $4 plus S&H). I had a ton of help selling the book, primarily from the three young ladies in the photograph below--Kristi Harms, and Brandie and Felicity Reynolds. They're dressed up for the event and were also promoting Brandie and Kristi's upcoming book Modus Operandi. Brandie turned out to be one hell of a salesperson, and Felicity helped me out by taking photographs for most of the convention (after I explained a few things to her like what fishnet stockings were and how my fans needed photographs of them on the website).


My convention experience would not be complete without Ghost Hill Greg Harms, who is the driving force behind our cadre of friends getting our work out there for the world to see. He sleeps very little, and I'm not sure how things are going to work out now that Kristi cut off his flow of Dr. Pepper, although he was drinking Mr. Pibb when we went out to dinner after the convention closed on Saturday night which seems exactly like cheating. Anyway, one great guy and the weekend went by way too fast--I wish I'd had more time to visit with him since we've only been able to meet in person a couple of times. Here he is signing UNDERTOW #1 and inking some original art (Lady Death) by Roman Morales III.


And a few pics of fellow comic book fans that came by to see us at the booth:


Here's Roman taking a break from inking one of his pieces to sign UNDERTOW for a fan. I met Roman for the very first time at Amazing Arizona. Roman helped with the cover for UNDERTOW, and has a few projects of his own (Lynch Mob formerly of CHAOS! Comics and creator-owned Midknights) that will be coming out with new issues in 2011. Roman is an amazing artist and deep thinker, but you need to keep track of him if he starts telling stories because every one of them is going to end up going a little too far. He's had a long career between the military and law enforcement and I can only imagine the situations he's dealt with. I'm looking forward to knowing him better in the future he's as interesting a person as you will ever meet.


There were a ton of great costumes, and I couldn't help but jump at the chance to get a picture with Phoenix from the X-Men. As a sidenote I finally bought a copy X-Men #101 (first appearance of Phoenix) at the con from Jerry at 1,000,000 Comics who is a cool guy and all about selling comics (instead of holding on to them and their inflated price tags like some kind of troll). There are a lot more pictures on Facebook for anyone that's interested. Didn't realize it until later but the young lady below had at least three different costumes (for a two day convention) which I just noticed now going back through these pictures.


Special guests for the con included Robert Kirkman, creator of THE WALKING DEAD, which I've read recently and cannot recommend highly enough, Todd McFarlane (SPAWN), Rob Liefeld (X-FORCE), and the guy I was most excited to see, writer Jeph Loeb. I've read a ton of Jeph's stuff over the years, and I'm not exactly sure how the big publishers works things out, but it seems to me that he pretty much gets to do whatever he wants. He's worked on big titles at Marvel and DC, and has been a writer and producer on a grip of television shows like LOST and SMALLVILLE. Coolest part about this? He's still doing comics. I'm not sure on all his credits, but standing in line to see the guy I was taken aback at all the different books the fans were pulling out for him to sign. Talk about a body of work. In my best moments, I flatter myself to think that our narrative styles have something in common. He is an amazing storyteller. If you haven't read any of his stuff, you should, and if you've never read comics, any of his books would be a good place to start, I guarantee. He took a few minutes to talk to me and give me some advice on presenting my work as a writer, and I came back later on with my photographer, Felicity, to get a picture with him. What a great moment and great talent.


And one more costume pic for anyone taking the time to read this long-winded post. Again, you'll find a lot more posted on Facebook between all of us that made the con. If we met at the con and you're interested in the projects we've got going, please contact us or send an email to say hello and introduce yourself. Our creative group of friends is growing all the time and we can always use one more. Any input you have is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much to those of you who were so generous to purchase our books and artwork. The smallest gesture from you means everything to us. Thanks for reading.

AMAZING ARIZONA

Getting ready this week for a trip to Phoenix to meet up with fellow creators Greg Harms and Roman Morales III to pimp UNDERTOW #1 at its very first convention! We've got a lot of stuff besides that, though. Prints and original artwork from Greg and Roman, a grip of Roman's comic LYNCH MOB from his work at Chaos! Comics, a new sketchbook for Greg's story CONTROL SYNDICATE.



We'll be joined there by Greg's wonderful wife, Kristi, and their friends Elden and Brandie Reynolds who are also making the trip over from Texas. Kristi and Brandie have a story they're working on called MODUS OPERANDI.



These two are enthusiastic convention goers and are dressing the part. Real life versions from the image above. How cool is that?


I'm off to the printer today to print up some of the CONTROL SYNDICATE Sketchbook, and after that...we'll see where the day takes me. Have a great new year out there, everyone. Wish me luck.

The Itty-Bitty Print Run

If anyone is curious how many of these are out there that number is 250. Greg came up with the idea to do them numbered since our print run was small and sold me on it right away. What you're looking at here is the back cover of the final issue of the print run. You'll notice it's numbered 251/250--this is because the proof (with my brilliant typo) got the numero uno. So that's what we've got. Back cover here is penciled by Jonathan A. Rector of Toronto, Canada, inked and colored by Greg Harms. Mail orders are all put together and I've now got about forty or so copies left, but like I said there are some with Gibson Quarter and Greg, and I've got some set aside for Amazing Arizona. If you'd like a copy and you don't live near these guys and you're not going to be at the con, well...Paypal is at the right. And for those of you that already have one in the mail, please let me know what you think after you have a chance to read the book. If you have any ideas for me, send those my way as well. I am definitely not above stealing ideas. Kind of what writers do. Goodnight.

UNDERTOW AT LAST!

One day short of a month, and one revision later, my first ever self-published comic UNDERTOW #1 and I have been united at last! It appears there was a collaborated effort between the shipping guy and the USPS to utterly destroy half of the print run, but the day would be mine in the end--not a single book was damaged thank the gods! I realize I'm over two weeks behind, so many apologies to those who have purchased the book in advance. Those orders went out today via priority mail and I will do my damnedest to hit my release date for #2 (um...not sure what that date is yet).


For those of you who have considered buying the book, you've probably noticed that it's for sale here on my website. I'm signing all copies going out unless you request otherwise. If anyone would like to buy a copy of the book made out to anyone in particular please let me know I'd be happy to do it. Some of the copies that went out today were made out to those who ordered or their kids/family--thank you all so much for buying the book I'm feeling the love. It's been the best Christmas gift ever to have your support out there.


The illustrators in the book have a ton of fans and friends out there as well. I've put a fair amount of copies in the capable hands of Ghost Hill Greg Harms, and there will soon be some with Gibson Quarter also. If you're in the vicinity of these gents, for sure hit them up. UNDERTOW #1 will also be on sale at the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention in Mesa, Arizona on January 8th and 9th. If you're in the area come check me out--I'll be there with Greg Harms, Roman Morales III and friends it is going to be a great time and there's sure to be more cool stuff than you can look at in a weekend.

And one last picture just to show everybody the big smile on my face...it's hard to beat whiskey and my Spider-Man tee shirt, but throw in comic books and consider it done. Thank you all again and hello to the new people checking out my blog. Feel free to drop me an email any time or check me out on Facebook to let me know a few things about yourselves. Thanks for reading.