David Wilde
Dave Wilde is a web cartoonist like me. We connected through heroclix and I’ve been following his Galaxy Zento ever since. You can find him at
http://galaxyzento.blogspot.com/
Knight ad
Back in the early days of doing A Knight No One Forgets for Angel Lite comics, I was pushing the deadline hard but still needed to get some art out to generate buzz. I ended up grabbing some of my favorite images and compositing this quick ad. It’s one of the few KnightWolf images I’ve ever done any color on.
Rogue
When I wrote on that Gambit piece that I should think about tdoing Rogue, I meant it. I was actually done with this catagory of post for the year, all scheduled and written up, but couldn’t get that one out of my head so here’s one more.
It’s got to be the 90’s costume, though there was a brief period in the 2000’s where they had just restored the costumes after the Morrison run, slightly updated and with higher detail – more buckles and quilting. I like that and try to incorporate it in here, along with losing the head band. That’s rough because it drastically changes her hair style, but for the better I think. I don’t like it just straight, but too curly looks dated, we’re somewhere in the middle of that.
The other thing about Rogue is she kind of…busty. More so than any of the X-Men, she’s always been drawn top heavy, and we’ve represented that here as well.
Internet Explorer will not start
When I’m not writing comics or watching terrible films I also work as an IT consultant. Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the last 17 years.
Problem:
Internet Explorer will not start, the hourglass goes around once and nothing happens, but in Task Manager you can see the process going
Solution:
One of two things is happening; Either you havea corrupted installation, or something is interfearing with the application.
1. Try to run IE in safe mode with add-ons disabled. If this works, you have an add-on crashing the app. Go to Internet Options, Programs, Manage add-ons and start disabling add-on programs untill you find the one causing the problem.
2. Revert IE to defaults. Internet Options, advanced, and start reseting from here. This may not fully solve the problem however. If there is an outside ap conflicting with IE, you may be able to log on once and then not again. Make sure to test repeatedly.
3.Uninstall Google Desktop. Google Desktop has know issues with IE and will sometimes cause it to not start.
Annie 2014
Well, it bombed as expected, but did it HAVE to bomb? We can point out that the general public wasn’t thrilled about the race change, but I think things go far deeper than that.
Annie just doesn’t work for me unless it’s a period piece. In the 40’s a millionaire adopting an orphan for a week is idiosyncratic. In 2014 it’s creepy. In the 40’s a horrible orphanage is a result of the war. In 2014 it’s an indictment of Social Services. The magic of going to the movies is lost, it’s too common now, but in the 40’s movies were new and there was no TV. It was truly something special. Today, we can watch TV on our phones -somethign I noticed the ophans had….
I don’t mind portraying Annie as more hyper, a cute ADHD case. Bushier hair works – it takes the character and stretches the caricature. But..it’s not red. Red is such an important theme in this play/flim, from the wardrobe to the logo itself. Red does not work with this actresses complexion.
The source material is a Newspaper comic strip. I WANT my broad generalizations! I want Punjab and the Asp! I also want the negative stereotype of the white male included! Mr. Warbucks works much better than “Stacks”.
At the end of the day, I have to ask; will people be talking about this film in ten years? Will it be as iconic as the ’82 version with Aileen Quinn (also not a redhead, but they had the sense to stick a wig on her), Albert Finney, Carol Burnett and Tim Curry?
Could this have been done better? Certainly. Indeed, I prefer the small screen adaptions to this, and think that certain aspects could have worked. In 2014 you could ramp up the fish out of water aspect, the misfit feelings and the hyperactive cutie angle, but without it being a little redheaded girl in the 40’s the context just doesn’t click. Those aspects are essential, and untill Hollywood understands that race-swapping tends to water down rather than uplift we’ll keep seeing these kind of missteps, and more’s the pity
Akron Zombie Walk spring 2016
Man, I was actually bummed that I missed the Lakewood Zombie walk, so the girls and I were determined to get to Akron and hang with the undead. I broke out my Zombie Batman and Maddie has been itching to creep around as a monster Cupcake. Lydia decided on a Zombie Gymnast…which sadly ended up being a poor choice on the cold and wet day (We shoudn’t be getting hail in MAY!).
Maddie asked where the money we pay goes and I explained to her a little more about the food bank, and she decided she wanted to donate on her own, pulling a couple of quarters from her piggy bank!
We were running behind, but we got in just as the walk started and managed to join in the tail of the line and made our way up and down the horde as we walked around the block. It went too quickly, with random zombie attacks and the zombie hunters ganging up on undead Batman! It was the first time the girls really noticed what Maddie called “Role playing”, with the monsters antagonizing and being beaten back by the survivors.
When we arrived back, the venue, Annabelle’s, had a buffet ready to feed us all dinner! It was a nice creepy atmosphere in the basement, and a great time to catch up with friends I haven’t seen since Wasteland. Can’t wait until the next one!
Comic Creator Autographs
Me so excited to meet Gerry Conway I forgot to open my eyes!
I posted an article last month – a sort of list of who in the comic book world charges and who doesn’t. The list has grown since then and I’ve added a section for who does not charge as well. We’re not really going to discuss the pros and cons of comic professionals charging for autographs. There’s plenty of other forums for that. We’re just going to acknowledge the reality of modern convention economics. This is a little something to help you know what to expect when you go to a con so you don’t get blind sided. A lot of artists don’t have autograph charges clearly displayed and frequently con websites either don’t have this information or
Marc Sumerick meets a fan!
are asked not to display it. Here’s my current list – in sort of alphabetical order. It’s not exhaustive by any means, things may change next month or next year. We’ll update and repost as we learn more.
Amanda Conner – free for 5 books, $2 after, $5 for CGC.
Alex Saviuk – $5
Arvell Jones – $5
Bob Camp – $30
Bill Sienkiewicz – 2 for free, $2.50 after, $10 for CGC/David Spurlock
Charles Soule – $10 CGC grading signings
Edgar Delgado – $5 CGC grading signings
Fabian Nicieza – $10 Deadpool/X-Force related
Fiona Staples – $20 CGC grading signings (otherwise free)
Graham Nolan recently started charging, but not sure how much.
Gerry Conway – $5
Gerhard $10
Larry Hama wondering exactly what he’s gotten himself into…
Greg Horn – $20 GameStop variants (otherwise free)
Humberto Ramos – $10-$20
John Romita Jr – three for free, then $2. $10 for CGC grading
Jae Lee- $5
Jose Delbo – $5
Joe Rubinstein – $2 ($50 for Wolverine)
Jimmy Palmiotti – free for 5 books, $2 after, $5 for CGC.
J Scott Campbell $10
John Cassandry $10
John Beatty – $3
Jim Sternako charges $15 per item last I checked – and that includes items and prints BOUGHT FROM HIS TABLE. Also, do not ask for a photo with him.
With the Legendary Denny O’Neil
Keith Pollard – $5
Kevin Eastman – first is free, $20 after that
Klaus Janson– $20 CGC grading signings
Len Wein – $5, $20 CGC grading signings, $25 for Hulk 181, Giant Size X-Men #1 or House of Secrets #92.
Larry Hama will sign two items for free and charges after that.
Matteo Scalera – $20 CGC grading signings
Mike Zeck – $5
Marv Wolfman – one free (I’ve heard elsewhere it’s two for free, but in his last interview he said one), $5.00 after that
Mark Texeria- $5 per book (with free head sketch)
Mike Grell – $3
Allen Bellman still going strong!
Neal Adams – $30
Pat Brodrick – $3
Rob Liefeld – $10-$60 (for New Mutants #98)
Stan Lee – $60-$100
Whilce Portacio – $10-$20
Victor Olazaba – $10
Tip Jar- pay whatever you want
Ben Templesmith
Denny O’Neil (Heros alliace tip jar)
Gene Ha
Peter David
Tip Jar -Comic Book Leagal Defence Fund
Charlie Adlard
Rubinstein’s done just about everything!
Dave Gibbons
Judd Winick
Mike McKone
Stefano Gaudiano
Free
Ande Parks
Art Thibert
Aaron Lopresti
Bill Anderson
Brian Michael Bendis (Be prepaired to wait a long time in line)
Bob Budiansky
Bill Willingham
Brendan Fletcher
Nolan signs some bat-issues!
Barry Kitson
Christos Gage
Chad Townsend
Charles Soule
Cary Nord
Cameron Stewart
Chip Zdarsky
Darryl Banks
Dan Brereton
Emanuela Lupacchino
Erik Larsen
Evan Dorkin
Fred Van Lente
Frank Cho
Jon Bogdanove scribbles on my Superman wedding album and Steel trade paperback!
Gail Simone
Ivan Reis
Jason Latour
Joshua Williamson
Jim Zub
Jerry Duggan
Jason Aaron
Jonathan Hickman
Jenny Frison
Jae Lee
Kelley Jones
Kevin Maguire
Kyle Higgins
Louise Simonson
Marc Sumerick
Mike Barr
Mike Gustov
Mark Waid
Mike Norton
Matt Fraction
Tony Isabella greets the fans!
Marguerite Bennett
Mike Hawthorne
Nick Bradshaw
Nick Dragotta
Phil Hester
Phil Noto
Rick Remender
Ron FOrtier
Ramon Villalobos
Steve Leialoha
Scott Snyder
Skottie Young
Tim Seeley
Tony Isabella (There’s certain issues that DC broke it’s agreement with him on, don’t bring those, otherwise free)
Walter Simonson
Clayton Crain
Keron Grant
Jorge Lucas
Bob Almond
Jim Pasco
Mike Mayhew
Casey Jones
Tim Bradstreet
Free comic book Day 2016
Yeah, the article is a little late, it’s been a busy week, but here’s my report from the front lines at Free Comic Book Day 2016.
In Cleveland, we do free comic book day in style. It’s one of the nice things about this area, there are so many comic shops around – I know that there are parts of the country where you might only have one in the entire county. Some places they’re hard to find, but just around my area… We’ve got Keith’s in Elyria, Comics Are Go in Sheffield, (my personal favourite), we also got B and L comics in Parma, as well as York comics and Northcoast nostalgia out that way. A new little place popped up in North Olmsted where I work, a charming little shop called Nine Relms. and then finally 
there is Carol and John’s. Carol and Johns is arguably the biggest comic shop in Cleveland and the most respected. They work hard to be the center of comic culture in the area throwing parties and hosting events periodically throughout the year, not the least of which of these events is the midnight release party. There are sales in the stores, the special beer with fun labels, there is always an art show as well, with the store bringing artists am fine to do sketches and hobnob with guests. The night line generally the length of the Kamms Plaza and you will find people playing games, dressing up in costumes, and generally having fun with friends.
By the time I got there it wasn’t yet dark but the line had already formed and was inching it’s way down the plaza, stopping right around the corner. That was about as 
expected, though as the night stretched on, I did notice that the line formed more and more slowly, not achieving it’s usual prodigious lengths.
This year I decided that since I was getting in line crazy early (about 6:30) I wanted something that would kill a lot of time for the night so I pulled out my old pinhead makeup – you might remember this from back when we were doing the Hellraiser project on this blog. It’s a lengthy make up – usually clocking in at just under three hours (each pin has to be applied separately, so does each cut between the pins…that”s not just one long scar, it’s a couple dozen tiny ones)and today was no exception, but what was funny about it is that as I sat at my table with my mirror set up and my make-up on each corner I was still able to socialize and chat and hang out with people while I was doing the make up. People came around to watch as the slow transformation occurred.
A couple of friends – Marcus and Justin slid down from way further up on the line down to hang out with me. That was a great way to start the night to have people around. Eventually my friends Jennifer and Selena also showed up there (trying to get there around seven but it was closer to quarter after). They brought the kids and Jennifer and brought her husband along with our friend Chris. Bobbie showed up with the new baby complete with a little Spiderman snuggie and we simply took over the corner of that line. Shortly before 9 o’clock, my make up was done. I did a bit extra this year, adding more pens – I’ve had to recreate the bald cap as the old one split on me. I thought it would be a good opportunity to try and hit the magic number of 100 pins (According to Gary Tunnnicliffe, who did the makeup in most of the Hellraiser movies that’s how many there are). I’ve never been able to quite manage it – we tapped out in the low 90s.
As we waited for the doors to open I pull out my handmade puzzle box – a new addition to the costume. Insted of using my replica, I wanted something that glowed, so I built my own. The real key here was LED light that changes colour. I regularly use things from the dollar store, and this was a knick knack that was supposed to look like a butterfly, but after I ripped the wings and reworked some of the clear parts it looked more like an amorphous spirit inside the box. It glowed eerily through the slots in the box as the evening got darker and stood out beautifully in the night air.
The Ghostbusters showed up but let’s face it, these guys are not equipped to deal with Cenobites. I wandered up and down the lines checking out the costumes, I love what free comic book day brings out in people… We see costumes and outfits every bit as impressive as you would see at any convention.
Finally, around 11:30 the line started to form in earnest. People left the chairs and tables and began to queue up outside the entrance of the shop. I got in and grabbed my first 10 titles – it was an impressive spread this year and I managed to get all of my first choices that night. That’s a feat that seems to be getting harder and harder to accomplish as more people come out every year and the shops understandably begin to crack down on how many titles you can get (about 10 is average these days). I was also delighted to be far enough towards the front that I was one of the first 200 – and recieved a graphic novel as a result. A nice Avengers trade that I’ve never read before, I’m eager to get into this one.
I rushed out so I can get back home and get some sleep – Saturday morning was going to be a long day. By the time I woke up, my wife and I are already absconded with my younger daughter taking her to dance class. Maddie shuffled into her Supergirl costume and ran up to me with a little white stuff animal she found. It was a litte dog was black earsand she asked me if we can quickly make a cape and a collar for him… That way for Supergirl could carry around Krypto. I grabbed some scissors and pins and went to work, bringing together a quickie costume for her stuff toy.we headed out, hitting Nine Relms comics first.
This is the new store and I was eager to see how the place was, I’d only seen photos online. We got there just as the doors open and – the first customers inside. They were delighted to see some people showing up in costume (they weren’t sure it was going to happen) and ushered us over to where the free books were. I like Nine 
Relms, they are friendly and they got a nice even balance to between comic books and games. There are a bunch of toys on the shelf, predominantly from the 90s – that’s not a complaint. The 90s produced some of my absolute favourite superhero lines, not the least of which is the Total Justice line. I chatted with a customer at the checkout about the Green Arrow he was buying. The Total Justice line produced figures of characters like Connor Hawke and Kyle Rayner… Characters well over looked in mainstream toys. I look longingly over the old Star Trek micro machines and Maddie pointed out a zombie versus cheerleaders card game. We ended up buying a couple of
Even the cupcakes get involved in Marvel’s Civil War
gravity feed Heroclix from Civil War – I let Maddie select them and choose which ones we wanted done when we unwrapped them in the car we discovered she had pulled in iron man, and a redwing – a sort of ironman drone. She was estatic about this figure and claimed it immediately!. We also spent some time on the arcade cabinet. Nine Relms has a couple of video games in the corner of the shop – Mortal Kombat three, and Marvel versus Capcom. I’ve got MK3 on the MAME cabinet at home but Marvel vs. Capcom 2 isn’t available for MAME. Maddie is familiar with one, there are characters in 2 that she hasn’t seen. She chose a Little red Riding Hood, which was hilarious to watch as my Captain America beat the tar out of her. I did 
end up winning, although it was close – and I gave Maddie the extra game. She likes this place, and I hope we’ll be back. In fact, I encourage you to try them out actually… It’s only been open a couple months, and they were having a kind of light turnout for FCBD, at least, light when you compare it to the line stretching down to the pizza place back over Carol and John’s.
There were Supergirls everywhere. Maddie couldn’t believe how many she kept seeing. I was personally impressed with the variety of Supergirls costumes.
Not so many Wonder Woman. Interesting.
Maddie I made it through in about half an hour, grabbing more comics, some for us some for Maddie’s younger sister Lydia, and a couple for the son of my wife’s friend – we also ended up with several duplicates for Maddie’s school – some of the teachers like giving those out during reading time. Maddie had fun at the art show, we didn’t stick around to meet any of the artists themselves – that’s something that we are more prone to do a comic convention, but she looked on with awe all of the beautiful pieces. I’m a big fan of sleepy robot, and some of the absolutely adorable little statuettes they created for this show… I saw thier booth up at ConCoction as well. I’m going to have to buy a couple of these pieces, I’m really, really in love with them.
We finish Saturday at Comics are Go! Mike over there had been holding a Batman versus Superman heroclix set for me and he ran to the back to grab it. It’s nice to 
have friends in these places. I also grabbed the Comics Are Go book. I heard them talking about this, and really I expected more of a autobiography. What it ended up being was a very indie book full of short stories, still incredibly entertaining and cool to have gotten signed by all the people who worked on it. I think this is a great idea for a shop and if I were running one myself we absolutely have a book about life in a comic shop… indeed, wasn’t that kind of what Violent Blue was about?
One of the artist was giving away a brilliant Batman print, this is going to look great 
up next to my Shadow print from Pat Broderick.
Outside in the bargain bins, Maddie found a stack of Marvel Zombies! This absolutely made her day, whenever we go to shows that’s what she’s looking for… Marvel Zombies, maybe some Simpsons and my little pony but especially Marvel Zombies. I handed her a ten and she ran in to pay.
One of these days I’m going to get the girls out to the square for the superhero production there – the local charity, super heroes to kids in Ohio, always does spectacular show with super heroes battling villains right there live in the center of my city. I know a bunch of people who are in it, as well as the writer and it’s always a great time.
Last couple years I did free comic book day alone – well not exactly alone, I ran into friends and acquaintances everywhere I stopped, but this year it was really nice to have my little sidekick back, when we got home and it was time for bed that night – I saw Maddie reading Camp Scary and she was absolutely absorbed in it. That’s a great part about this – discovering new stuff. Hope you’re free comic book day was just as eventful.
Lady Ant man just looks so thrilled to be there…I think it’s because Daredevil is holding an invisible can of RAID.
No DC Marvel rivalry here….
“Coffee. Need….Coffee….”
Pinhead is obviously not amused by Deadpools sign. I tried all night to snap a photo of Cap on his bike! How did Laura Wimbels manage it?
Laura Wimbels also happened to sneak this pic of Pinhead ! 
“Say… you look familiar” (Doing the mirror gag)
I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was to see She-Hulk. I was trying to get Maddie or Lydia to do her for our FF!
The fact that it’s the Lois and Clark Superman just kills me! Absolute 90’s photo! 
Seriously…where else is this acceptable social behavior?
Here’s the thing, to fully appreciate that Ghostbuster costume…you have to see
ZomBri and Mark and the most popular photo on my facebook account…
I seriously want a Hellraiser/John Constantine crossover to happen so bad…
Great thanks to Andy Donaldson for such a stunning photo of the Sea Queen threatening Hell’s favorite son…
Winston (the cat who lives at the comic shop)just want’s this night to be over. (Andy Donaldson gets that one shot of him that I just couldn’t manage!)
Love and bullets
Love and bullets starts off with beautiful vistas stunning landscapes and sweet music that makes it feel like a lifetime film. I’m not sure what to think of that, and Switzerland seems an odd setting for Charles Bronson movie, fortunately we switch right towards Charles Bronson going in to look at corpse and I think we’re back on track.
Love and bullets is really the epitome of Charles Bronson film. He’s playing a cop he’s using guns and protecting a gangsters moll from the assassins that the gangsters sent after her to keep her from testifying. Bronson is very much playing Bronson and looks extremely good at 57 years of age here.
When the blonde bombshell is forced to remove her wig and make-up it really is a stunning difference. We sometimes forget just how big a difference that makes in an image, and how manufactured so many of actresses are. Her line when presenting herself to Charles Bronson is priceless “Yeah I should’ve known you’d like this. you’re used to looking at dead people.”
The film is very Bronson and very 70s. It reminds me a lot of the kind of movies they used toplay late at night on channel 43. Perfect thing to watch while you’re doing something else.
Barbie Wilde
Barbie was the female cenobite in the first two Hellraiser movies and I made a special trip to Chicago to meet her. Nicely enough, she not only signed my Hellraiser poster, but also these two pieces, promoting her own projects!
Dressup
Maddie kind of needs to work on her handwriting. I can tell it’s a sketch about playing dress up….but I’m not sure what they’re dressing as or who with….
Gambit
My personal definitive way of drawing iconic characters
Man, I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but in the 90’s I was absolutely a Gambit fanboy.
I’m not sure who my influences are here .Andy Kubert and Fabien Neichez were doign a lot of the art on the X-books at the time. I missed Jim Lee’s run entirely.
I always wanted Gambit to have realistic proportions, much liek the heroic proportions of Green Lanter, but perhaps even more lean. I never liked it when he was drawn like a bodybuilder, somehow that just didn’t suit him. I’d prefer to see him with the body of a basketball player than a football guy.
The lines on his collar arn’t random. It’s just one of those things, I hate looks that are random, I NEED continuity, so I always drew his colar as a star with a couple extra lines throug hthe sides to keep it from being a pentagram. I also tried not to go overboard with the hair, it’s easy to do, but begins to look bad when viewed objectively.
I should really do a Rogue one of these days to…
Argo City Comics 