Sunday, July 29, 2007
Inspiration Station!
It seemed we had run into some bad luck as far as panels went. They usually ended up being boring as hell or just a plain waste of time. But yesterday was an exception.
Vince and I attended Paul Pope's spotlight panel and it was thoroughly enjoyable and very inspiring. This man is an artist through and through. But instead of being pretentious and snooty, he is passionate and sincere. I have great respect for this man and Vince and I both find Mr. Pope as the subject of a torrid hetero-man crush. What really gets me is that this uber-talented artist could be working in any field he chooses (and sometimes does.) But the medium he loves, first and foremost, is comics. We're lucky to have him.
We checked out a panel on Alex Toth as well. It had clips from his new bio documentary called SIMPLICITY. Alex Toth was an amazing artist and an interesting man. I definitely plan on picking up this film.
Got some San Diego Sushi yesterday. It was pretty damn good! The eel especially was warm and flavorful. I also had the pleasure of watching a rainbow haired fanboy devour 2 live shrimp...it was....well...those poor things.
Sarah Silverman had a panel at the con and my stomach still hurts. She's the cutest, hottest, most vulgar and hilarious lady comedienne alive. I want to bear her children.
Afterwards, we heard some stories from a modern master, Mr. Warren Ellis. It was surreal to see this guy in person. Even more surreal to see the room half empty. He's a funny bastard and a very talented man.
Q: Alan Moore once told me that the only question worth asking a great writer is "Where do you get your ideas?"
A: Alan Moore also once said "I worship a snake." So take your pick, mate.
Funny bastard.
And just when I thought there couldn't be any more highlights to the day, we had the pleasure of attending the Too Much Coffee Man opera. It was my first opera experience, and probably the only one that will ever make me laugh so hard. Wonderfully done. And for those of you who don't know, local legend Damian Willcox co-wrote this opera with creator Shannon Wheeler. Well done, Damian.
Well, today I'm hoping to get a sketch or autograph from Ben Templesmith. If not, I'm sure I'll get over it. We'll be going to the nudie bar tonight. There are two of them right next door. San Diego is pretty.
-NICK
Vince and I attended Paul Pope's spotlight panel and it was thoroughly enjoyable and very inspiring. This man is an artist through and through. But instead of being pretentious and snooty, he is passionate and sincere. I have great respect for this man and Vince and I both find Mr. Pope as the subject of a torrid hetero-man crush. What really gets me is that this uber-talented artist could be working in any field he chooses (and sometimes does.) But the medium he loves, first and foremost, is comics. We're lucky to have him.
We checked out a panel on Alex Toth as well. It had clips from his new bio documentary called SIMPLICITY. Alex Toth was an amazing artist and an interesting man. I definitely plan on picking up this film.
Got some San Diego Sushi yesterday. It was pretty damn good! The eel especially was warm and flavorful. I also had the pleasure of watching a rainbow haired fanboy devour 2 live shrimp...it was....well...those poor things.
Sarah Silverman had a panel at the con and my stomach still hurts. She's the cutest, hottest, most vulgar and hilarious lady comedienne alive. I want to bear her children.
Afterwards, we heard some stories from a modern master, Mr. Warren Ellis. It was surreal to see this guy in person. Even more surreal to see the room half empty. He's a funny bastard and a very talented man.
Q: Alan Moore once told me that the only question worth asking a great writer is "Where do you get your ideas?"
A: Alan Moore also once said "I worship a snake." So take your pick, mate.
Funny bastard.
And just when I thought there couldn't be any more highlights to the day, we had the pleasure of attending the Too Much Coffee Man opera. It was my first opera experience, and probably the only one that will ever make me laugh so hard. Wonderfully done. And for those of you who don't know, local legend Damian Willcox co-wrote this opera with creator Shannon Wheeler. Well done, Damian.
Well, today I'm hoping to get a sketch or autograph from Ben Templesmith. If not, I'm sure I'll get over it. We'll be going to the nudie bar tonight. There are two of them right next door. San Diego is pretty.
-NICK
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Fridizay
Well, I didn't think it was possible, but Friday was even more of a madhouse than Thursday. And from what I hear, today is sold out and could potentially break the record for most attendees at the convention center. We're talking upwards of 130, 000 people!
"Buy Speed Stick,
It's not expensive."
Pics below feature Gabriel Ba (whom I love...well his work anyway) and his twin bro, Fabio. That guy choking Steve? He played Jason in a bunch of Friday the 13th movies. Kane Hodder is his name. He choked me too. It kinda hurt.
Yesterday I got some sweet swag from James Jean and the man-pretty Mr. Paul Pope. JJ's new sketchbook sold out pretty damn quick, but I managed to nab one and it. Is. Gorgeous. And it smells really good, too. I confessed this to him. He chuckled. The gentleman signed a copy for Vince and I. PP also sketched and signed copies of his new sketchbook s well. Their lineups were pretty damn huge, but it was worth it. I got a sweet Daredevil sketch.
Oh, and last night, Vince and Steve and myself attended a live art jam at the Kava lounge. We witnessed the live art stylings of Ashley Wood (an influence of Vince's) and Jim Mahfood (a personal hero of mine) with Scott Morse and David Mack. All this to the beats of a live DJ. Very inspiring stuff. And it gave all of us some ideas for when we get back t Calgary.
I was kinda worried this trip would be discouraging, what with the constant barrage of comics and crowds. But I think the opposite is happening.
Vince and I tried to grab Jack In the Box at 2am, but they wouldn't serve us through the drive thru window. In an act of unbridled vengeance, we snatched a sign from their outdoor menu!
Suck it, Jack!
I also beat up a milk carton.
Steve's gonna try to upload some pics, so enjoy!
-NICK
"Buy Speed Stick,
It's not expensive."
Pics below feature Gabriel Ba (whom I love...well his work anyway) and his twin bro, Fabio. That guy choking Steve? He played Jason in a bunch of Friday the 13th movies. Kane Hodder is his name. He choked me too. It kinda hurt.
Yesterday I got some sweet swag from James Jean and the man-pretty Mr. Paul Pope. JJ's new sketchbook sold out pretty damn quick, but I managed to nab one and it. Is. Gorgeous. And it smells really good, too. I confessed this to him. He chuckled. The gentleman signed a copy for Vince and I. PP also sketched and signed copies of his new sketchbook s well. Their lineups were pretty damn huge, but it was worth it. I got a sweet Daredevil sketch.
Oh, and last night, Vince and Steve and myself attended a live art jam at the Kava lounge. We witnessed the live art stylings of Ashley Wood (an influence of Vince's) and Jim Mahfood (a personal hero of mine) with Scott Morse and David Mack. All this to the beats of a live DJ. Very inspiring stuff. And it gave all of us some ideas for when we get back t Calgary.
I was kinda worried this trip would be discouraging, what with the constant barrage of comics and crowds. But I think the opposite is happening.
Vince and I tried to grab Jack In the Box at 2am, but they wouldn't serve us through the drive thru window. In an act of unbridled vengeance, we snatched a sign from their outdoor menu!
Suck it, Jack!
I also beat up a milk carton.
Steve's gonna try to upload some pics, so enjoy!
-NICK
Friday, July 27, 2007
San Diego: More Than Just Pimps and CHUDs
There's...there's so much to say.
Wednesday was preview night and it was a freaking MADHOUSE! So many people. The excitement! The stuff! I couldn't focus on anything! It was impossible for the group to stay together because there was so much stuff to look at! It didn't take too long for us to decide that we had to split up for us to fully enjoy this spectacle.
When we arrived back at the hotel, I crashed hard, and had one of the best sleeps in months.
Thursday was great. I mentally told myself that I had to "slow the fuck down" to enjoy myself. There's no rush. No reason to panic. Remembering this, I had a great time.
Early in the day, I met the two main reasons for being here: Matt Fraction and Gabriel Ba, creators of Casanova! I could barely contain myself! I simply blurted out "Casanova is fucking awesome!
To which MF replied: Casanova thinks you're fucking awesome.
Corny, I know. But I got goosebumps. And it was great.
I have barely even scratched the surface here. Had drinks with some Calgary folks last night. Head hurts a bit. Gotta shower and go before Vince yells at me.
Slammed into an air conditioner last night whilst jumping from bed to bed.
Steve's gonna try to upload some pics.
Peace out.
-NICK
Wednesday was preview night and it was a freaking MADHOUSE! So many people. The excitement! The stuff! I couldn't focus on anything! It was impossible for the group to stay together because there was so much stuff to look at! It didn't take too long for us to decide that we had to split up for us to fully enjoy this spectacle.
When we arrived back at the hotel, I crashed hard, and had one of the best sleeps in months.
Thursday was great. I mentally told myself that I had to "slow the fuck down" to enjoy myself. There's no rush. No reason to panic. Remembering this, I had a great time.
Early in the day, I met the two main reasons for being here: Matt Fraction and Gabriel Ba, creators of Casanova! I could barely contain myself! I simply blurted out "Casanova is fucking awesome!
To which MF replied: Casanova thinks you're fucking awesome.
Corny, I know. But I got goosebumps. And it was great.
I have barely even scratched the surface here. Had drinks with some Calgary folks last night. Head hurts a bit. Gotta shower and go before Vince yells at me.
Slammed into an air conditioner last night whilst jumping from bed to bed.
Steve's gonna try to upload some pics.
Peace out.
-NICK
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
We Made It!
Blaaargh!
We got held up in San Francisco for an extra 2 hours, but we arrived in sunny San Diego at 2:00pm! San Francisco was foggy and muggy and lame, so screw San Fran, long live Diego!
Chris got grilled at Canada customs. They wanted proof he wasn't selling his comics, but was in fact giving them away. Chris kept his cool.
A Canada Customs guy told Vince:
Did you know that there are people in Haiti with incurable tuberculosis who are allowed access into the country? It's ridiculous!
CULTURE SHOCK: I went to Burger King in San Fran and asked for a poutine instead of fries. All I got was a puzzled look. It sent me reeling...
San Diego is awesome! The palm trees are very nice to look at...as are the lovely ladies. Our motel is pretty cool. It was recently upgraded from it's one and a half star rating to a 2 star rating! Huzzah! Classy. What was also classy was the trail of bloodstains leading from outside our room, across the living room carpet and towards the bathroom. Such history...
Well, we're heading out for food and our convention passes soon.
We'll stay in touch.
We got held up in San Francisco for an extra 2 hours, but we arrived in sunny San Diego at 2:00pm! San Francisco was foggy and muggy and lame, so screw San Fran, long live Diego!
Chris got grilled at Canada customs. They wanted proof he wasn't selling his comics, but was in fact giving them away. Chris kept his cool.
A Canada Customs guy told Vince:
Did you know that there are people in Haiti with incurable tuberculosis who are allowed access into the country? It's ridiculous!
CULTURE SHOCK: I went to Burger King in San Fran and asked for a poutine instead of fries. All I got was a puzzled look. It sent me reeling...
San Diego is awesome! The palm trees are very nice to look at...as are the lovely ladies. Our motel is pretty cool. It was recently upgraded from it's one and a half star rating to a 2 star rating! Huzzah! Classy. What was also classy was the trail of bloodstains leading from outside our room, across the living room carpet and towards the bathroom. Such history...
Well, we're heading out for food and our convention passes soon.
We'll stay in touch.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Vicious Ambitious is going to Comicon 2007!
That's right, folks!
All six members of VA will be hitting the SDot tomorrow morning for this year's San Diego Comicon! With the exception of Chris Peterson, we'll all be popping our Comicon cherries. Needless to say, we're all insanely excited.
But we realize that not everyone who wants to hit this annual event is able to make it down, so we thought it would be fun to give you guys a glimpse of the madness that will ensue. This blog will be our half-ass attempt at bringing the Comicon to you. We'll update as often as possible with highlights and photos and hopefully some hilarious anecdotes. And heck, if nothing cool does happen, we'll just make some shit up!
We're up at 3am tomorrow morning to hit the airport for 4am, to catch our flight for 6am. Is that too early for a few mid-air gin and tonics? Didn't think so.
Stay tuned!
All six members of VA will be hitting the SDot tomorrow morning for this year's San Diego Comicon! With the exception of Chris Peterson, we'll all be popping our Comicon cherries. Needless to say, we're all insanely excited.
But we realize that not everyone who wants to hit this annual event is able to make it down, so we thought it would be fun to give you guys a glimpse of the madness that will ensue. This blog will be our half-ass attempt at bringing the Comicon to you. We'll update as often as possible with highlights and photos and hopefully some hilarious anecdotes. And heck, if nothing cool does happen, we'll just make some shit up!
We're up at 3am tomorrow morning to hit the airport for 4am, to catch our flight for 6am. Is that too early for a few mid-air gin and tonics? Didn't think so.
Stay tuned!
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