Comic-Con 2013

I was on more panels and did more signings than I usually do at Comic-Con.

I participated in the Abrams ComicArts panel promoting Legends of the Blues and other new Abrams books, then joined the Abrams ComicArts “Music and Comics” panel. They both went well, especially the music panel. On that one my editor Charlie Kochman was the emcee; David Lasky (Eisner Award winning artist for his graphic novel on the Carter family) and I had a very lively and entertaining discussion.

Speaking of the Eisners, Charlie invited me to dine at the Abrams table. The awards were wonderful. Presenters Jonathan Ross and Neil Gaiman were especially entertaining. I was very happy when the Abrams ComicArts book The Carter Family – Don’t Forget This Song by Frank M. Young and David Lasky picked up an Eisner. I’d love to earn an Eisner. My work has contributed to the winning of both Eisners and Harveys, but those awards were never for me directly.

I was also included on the Robert Williams panel. Robert is one of my oldest friends, so I was happy to be asked to help celebrate his life and career. Robert got to tell a few of his great stories, including the one about his being in the middle of a gun battle between Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and the Hell’s Angels. A good time was had by all!

I did a signing just about every day at the Abrams booth. It was interesting to watch my blues book gain momentum day by day, with each day the book doing better than the previous day as word spread about my cool little volume.

The signing at Mondo of my King Kong print was phenomenal, as elaborated upon two posts ago. Wow! Thanks, Stout & Kong fans!

I believe I did about six video interviews (watch for them on YouTube!) and about three audio interviews while I was at Comic-Con.

I attended the Baby Tattoo party and enjoyed their traditional serving of late night scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and hash browns. I can’t stand American breakfasts in the morning — but for some reason I love having that kind of food at night. I had a fascinating conversation with my friends Olivia and her hubby Joel about the present state of Playboy and that magazine’s future.

My son Andy turned me on to an amazing little eatery not far from my hotel: Carnitas Snack Shack (2632 University Avenue) where I had the best carnitas tacos and the most delicious steak sandwich ever. I went back again the following evening with my Gal Friday Kris and her hubby Danny for another steak sandwich — it was that good!

I picked up a lot of new art books from my old friend (and Stout collector) Stuart Ng, as well as two great new Mark Schultz books and one grand Brom book from my publisher, Flesk Publications. After perusing those books, I am totally inspired! I also nabbed what I consider to be Gris Grimly‘s masterpiece, his new illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

My own sales (especially of books) were terrific. Surprise, surprise — Sunday turned out to be a huge sales day for books.

I saw lots of old friends throughout Comic-Con week: pros, fans and family; that always makes me happy.

I finally made it to the Dead Dog Party (I usually head back home before it begins), thrown after the convention by my long time pal Bob Chapman of Graphitti Designs. I had a great chat there on how to improve the Eisner Awards ceremony with Sergio Aragonés and Denis Kitchen. Then it was back on the road to my home in Pasadena.