Today was Albany's semi-annual comic book convention. It's been going on for a couple of years now, usually two times a year. It seems like it gets just a little bigger each time it comes around. I've been attending the show for a while now and have enjoyed each visit. It's by no means a big comic convention. You won't read reports about it on the various comic book news sites. Comic book companies don't come and set up booths and make big announcements. Instead, it's a small show with quite a few dealers and pros, most of whom are semi-local. Knowing that another Albany show was coming up (and another NYC show, as well), I thought now would be the right time to start getting the professional artists to start doing sketches for me. I've never really attended enough shows in the past to make it worthwhile to buy a hardcover sketchbook for them to draw in. But now is the right time. I got my first five sketches today and I want to share them.
The first sketch I got was one of the Tenth Doctor drawn by Matt Smith. This would be Matt Smith the artist, not Matt Smith the Eleventh Doctor, just as an fyi. He said he was a little out of practice because he's been drawing the Eleventh Doctor quite a bit lately, but I think this came out fantastic.
Sketch #2 is the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl by Fred Hembeck. When I requested her, he kind of blanked at exactly what the costume was at first, but then got it together and busted out this lovely rendition, complete with the squiggly knees. I've known Fred for a long, long time. The only original artwork I have in my comics room is some stuff he did for me way back in the 80s when I was working at the LCS.
Next up was Joe Staton. I've wanted an Earth-2 Huntress picture from him for the longest time. Joe also used to come into the comic shop I worked at. It's been years since I've seen him. He knew my face, but couldn't place me until I told him, then it all came flooding back. In fact, he reminded me of the time we were at the San Diego Comic Con, took his Con ID and went to a porn store, pretending to be him.
I love this sketch. I really wasn't expecting to get more than just a head shot, but he went overboard and I was floored. Huntress complete with her crossbow.
Sitting next to Joe was Lee Moder. Just as Joe was finishing up the Huntress sketch, Lee was called away to a panel about his new book with Ron Marz. I was bummed because I was just about to ask him for a Stargirl. Luckily I got a chance later in the day. Of the five sketches I got, this is my favorite. Lee spent quite a bit of time on it and it's absolutely beautiful. Again, I was hoping for a head shot, but I got the whole kit and kaboodle.
My final sketch was this one of Power Girl by Jamal Ingle. He was very hard to get to during the day. He always seemed to have a lot of people around his table. I managed to sneak in about fifteen minutes before the end of the show. Of all the artists, he was the one who made drawing seem the most effortless. I have such tremendous respect for those that can draw. I can barely draw a bath (haw haw haw. that was funnee), so to watch these guys bust out these sketches is so impressive to me.
My book has a great start. I'm anxious to get to more shows and get the pages filled.
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