The Amazing Arizona Comics Winter Tour!

Orko at Phoenix FanFest.

I know I promised more tales from Phoenix Comicon's FanFest last month, but like Orko here conjuring a sketch of Cringer, I've concocted more chances for you to find Amazing Arizona Comics in and around Phoenix!  (Dig that cameo from another magician behind Orko -- imagine that crossover!)

That's right, the Amazing Arizona Comics Winter Tour has begun!  Thanks to {9} the Gallery for hosting my first stop during their First Friday exhibit opening (which is a tremendous exhibit, by the way -- catch it while you can).   With Christmas right around the corner, folks seemed interested in comics co-starring Santa Claus, and following her amazing year in theaters, Wonder Woman was a popular request for sketches.

Sketching at First Friday.  Picture courtesy Kathleen Plasko.

Drinking and drawing at Palo Verde.

The tour continued last Thursday at the Palo Verde Lounge, where Bunny Vomit creator Birdie Birdashaw, B-Sides publisher Marna Kay, and I hosted the first in a series of drink and draw events.  We set up a small pop-up shop of comics and zines, and I sold some back issues of Amazing Arizona Comics right out of the back of my truck.  Thanks to everyone that came, had a brew, and drew!

We may have had a crowded house, but don't worry, folks -- it's not over yet!  I'll be at Drawn to Comics on Saturday, December 16th, set up next to Forever Etched Mirrors and Glass. Come by for a free sketch, and locally self-published minicomic starring Speed Cameron, Santa Claus, and more of Arizona's own superheroes.  They make great stocking stuffers, and, to me, the real gift is this chance to share my stories with you.  'Tis the season, after all!

Kirby For A Day Continues!

Kirby For A Day continues!  Have you watched the latest episode of the webseries I hosted about four Arizona artists attempting the 24 Hour Comic Challenge to honor Jack Kirby's 100th birthday earlier this year?  No?  Well, here's your chance!

What do geeks talk about in the wee hours?  These geeks talk about everything, including how much The Big Bang Theory stinks.  Wait, what?  You gotta see it to believe it!

And come back here later this week for more memories from Phoenix Comicon's FanFest!

Kirby For A Day: Chapter 1

Here it is -- the first episode of Kirby For A Day!  You may remember when I first talked about this project in August.  August 28th would've been Jack Kirby's 100th birthday, and since I've been organizing Kirby-themed birthday celebrations in Phoenix for the past few years, I wanted to do something really special.  I asked some friends if they'd attempt the 24 Hour Comic Challenge -- drawing to a Kirby-themed prompt -- and let me record the whole thing.  They agreed, and this is the result!

Kirby For A Day is a web-based miniseries about four artists' 24 hours at the drawing board.  We filmed over the last weekend of August at Drawn to Comics in Glendale, and, always, my sincere thanks to Ken and Susan Brown for hosting this overnight event.  An overwhelming amount of appreciation goes to my brother Kyle, for editing that footage into the episodes we'll post over the next few weeks.  We're making this series via "the Marvel method," as I give Kyle the general concept of each episode, and he brings it to life.  In this way, he's the Kirby to my Stan Lee, pushing the theme of the show that much further.

So . . . please watch!  My closest associates in self-publishing dedicated a great deal of time and energy to make this project happen, and they deserve your eyes and ears . . . if only for a few minutes every week.  Stay tuned!