Went to Big Wow Comicfest 2015 in San Jose, CA this past weekend. It's probably my favorite convention yet due to its size (just right), the number of artists doing commissions (plenty) and everyone's so damn nice.
Here's what I bought:
2015 Yearbook | 45 Years of Vampirella Art Book ($25)
Chew Vol. 9: Chicken Tenders ($8)
[4] Skottie Young Baby Variant comics ($20)
Amazing Spider-Man #1 Maximum Comics Exclusive (Free, signed by Adi Granov)
Here are the floppies that I got signed. Paolo Rivera for Daredevil and Adi Granov for Star Wars.
Fun fact. Paolo told me that the variant cover you see there for Daredevil #1 was actually an error. It was supposed to be in color but whoever selected the file, picked the wrong one. So what we got was the black and white version.
My sketchbook commissions that I got. First up is Paolo's (
http://paolorivera.blogspot.com/). Thanks to whoever gave me the heads up to contact him because I don't think he was taking any more at the convention. I went to him as soon as the con opened, introduced myself and we chatted for a bit. Really cool and chill guy. He told me that he can definitely fit me in his schedule today but probably won't be able to finish it up until the end of the con, which I was totally okay with. I spent most of the first day browsing samples and prices for other artists that I was interested in getting. Needless to say, when I went back to pick up my book, the piece was stunning.
With an hour left of the first day, I dropped off my book to Leann Hill (
http://www.leannhill.com/). She's known more for her Game of Thrones depiction of characters but wanted to see what she could do with Batman. She didn't get to finish it before the day was over but I went back on the second day and here it is:
It's difficult to see in the pic but there's subtle hints of pencil shadowing that she did that really makes it pop more.
Just around the corner, I spotted Derek Fridolfs' booth (
http://dfridolfs.deviantart.com/). He was at my local comic shop last year for Free Comic Book Day giving out free sketches. Unfortunately, the line was extremely long and I didn't have the patience to wait. He told me that he's doing it again this year but I figured I'd get him now instead of taking a chacne then. Here's a little piece from L'il Gotham:
Now, the sleeper hit of the con. Brian Soriano (
https://www.facebook.com/wrathcomics) was on the corner of a row with no one in front of his booth; he was too focused drawing a commission. So I look through his profile and his pencils are fuckin amazing. I'm kind of looking around and glanced over at his commissions' list and there was only one person on there. How the heck can one guy with such talent be looked over? I talked with him a bit and praised his work and he's the most humble dude ever. I asked how much was he charging for a commission and he says $25 for a bust. Sounds like a deal to me. But what I received in return was nothing short of spectacular (and way more than a bust):
I also included his piece he did of Dr. Strange/Shuma Gorath. I really wanted to buy the original from him (it was only $90) but didn't want to think of the additional costs I would need to get it custom framed. Though I am having second doubts of passing it over. Anyway, check his work out. If you see him, definitely get him to draw you something. He's on the quiet side but his art speaks volumes.
Lastly, I got a piece from Sanya Anwar (
http://www.artbysanya.com/). She didn't have much samples in the way of male characters but I really liked her inked and colored works. I was pressed for time but still wanted something from her so I requested a basic pencilled piece. I wouldn't say I was disappointed with how it came out but I think she could have definitely do a better job. I actually asked her to do the piece just before she was going to a panel she was on, which may not have been the best time. Once she came back from her panel, she had a line of customers trying to buy her comics and prints. She didn't have a helper and so she had to pause while drawing to attend to the people throwing money at her. The con ended at 5:00pm but she didn't finish until 5:10pm/5:15pm. She was extremely nice and she had this sincere look to her as if she knew I wasn't extremely satisfied, which is not too far from the truth. But you know what? It's a piece I commissioned for and there will be some hits and misses, and I'm okay with that.
And not to end on a downer but I met the star of the show (CHESKA!). Not sure why she didn't have a booth or panel but it was fun meeting her.
Our meetup was short and I think we were trying to cram an hour's worth of conversation into two minutes but it was still fun! It was nice meeting your fiance too! I didn't get a chance to ask or see but what print was he holding in his hands? Chrissie Zullo's? We'll definitely have to coordinate any future meetups.
Short tidbits:
On the first day, as we made our way up to the hall, some guy asked us if he was heading in the right direction. he had 2-3 packs of items he was carrying. He looked extremely familiar but I couldn't place a name to a face. Turns out he was Mike Choi.
I was in the elevator with Riddle (
https://www.facebook.com/Riddlesmessywardrobe) as she was making her way to the con as someone from the Marvel family (not Marvel comics, but Captain Marvel/Billy from DC family). She was trying to explain why she was in her getup to a couple who have no idea what's going on.
On another occassion, I was in the elevator with Mark Texeira (I think he was drunk) and Joe Weems.
On my way to the convention from my hotel, there's an underground passing that connects them both, I was walking alongside Jim Steranko! I didn't get a chance to say anything to him because I was "racing" with my son while he was in the stroller.
And commissions I couldn't get due to time constraints, $$, whathaveyou:
Nick Bradshaw and Adi Granov. Maybe I'll get these guys next time.
And on the topic of conventions, Greg Capullo and Skottie Young are attending SDCC this year. Hopefully they're there on a Thursday or Sunday.
