Monday, June 18, 2012

Spotlight on Bob Hall

Bob Hall


If there is anyone whom I would like to meet at a New Mexico Con by Tall Tales Productions, it is none other than Bob Hall.  He was the writer and artist of one of my favorite titles in the 90s.  And no, it wasn't a Wonder Woman related DC title, it was Shadowman.  My first introduction to Shadowman was Chaos Effect Alpha, which was a company wide cross-over a la Crisis on Infinite Earths.  The entire Valiant Universe was introduce to me.  I had missed the 1992 Image, Malibu and Valiant explosion because I was in graduate school.  I had already finished my Masters and was finishing up the coursework for the Doctorate.  I thought I needed a break and should get back into comics, besides Zero Hour was in full force over at DC and Superman had just died and risen, Artemis was now Wonder Woman, and Batman had broken his back and just come out of retirement.  The status quo of comics was different, would I read other comics from other companies.  Fortunately, American Entertainment was around and you could buy the back issues of Valiant and Image cheaply.  Of all of these new series, I loved Shadowman!!!  And I loved Bob Hall's work.  I was familiar with his work from Marvel's Squadron Supreme and West Coast Avengers.

Shadowman outsold many longtime industry heavyweights such as Fantastic Four, Justice League, Batman, Hulk, Captain America and Thor!!!  It was an exciting time.  The original and best Shadowman was Jack Boniface, who was a Cajun Creole that played Jazz Saxophone.  I always identified with Jack, probably because his hair was like mine and in the 90s I wore long hair.  Also, I love the Cajun and Zydeco cultures.  It was an amazing run with the best artwork, especially during the 90s where comic book characters, both male and female, would stand in impossible poses. 










Friday, June 15, 2012

ACE 2012

Well, I would like to talk about my adventures at ACE (Albuquerque Comic Expo)

I bought my pass at groupon.com which was a sweet deal.  My original plan was to buy a VIP pass, but then I figured, you can't beat a $6.00 pass and I could use the rest of the money for sketches and such.  I do want to add, for this con I was poor due to Medical Expenses, but it is possible to have extreme fun on a budget.

Me standing in the second line to get my pass.


My first stop was Ale Garza, brother was away so I did not get a pic and when I went back, Ale was away

Greg Horn signed my Blackest Night Wonder Woman 1 thru 3 and also did a sketch on my "The Art of Greg Horn"







Phil Hester, writer of Wonder Woman's Odyssey.  He did a quick sketch as well.




Joe Benitez signed my The Magdalene and JLA 16




The line behind me for Stan Lee's pic, it was 3:05, the event took place at 3:30 and the line was 5 times this size

The line before me for Stan Lee

Me in line waiting for Stan

Finally Stan the Man arrives!!!


My pic of Stan and myself with the Stan Lee autograph

Len Wein signed 4 items for me



Herb Trimpe signed my Wolverine book, along with Len Wein, he is the co-creator of Wolverine


I never knew Joe Jusko was this huge!!!!


Rodney Ramos signed two books, Wonder Woman:  Love and Murder and World War II.  My Black Adam: The Dark Age was not in mint condition, but I did ask him for an Isis Sketch.  I gave him my book at 2:30 and picked it up at 6:30.  Look at the detail!!!!!






JLA NM's Wonder Woman and me

My best pal, JLA NM's Batman, and me!!!    I know him in person!!!

JSA NM's Wildcat and me

JLA NM and JSA NM Team Up

BATS!

JLA NM's Green Arrow


Wonder Woman, Darth Vader and Batman

Batman will prevail any Jedi Mind Tricks

JLA NM's Green Arrow and me

JLA NM's Flash, one of the nicest guys I know, and me