Jimmy T's blog: 2008 New York Comic Con

Well the New York Comic Con has come and gone.

It was a huge show and there was a lot to see.

I picked up Bob Almond and Cesar Feliciano and Drove into the Big Apple where we met up with Art rep Bob Shaw, Kris Carter and their friend Patrick.

Artist alley held a few surprises... Leonard Starr was there, and his artwork was superb on his dailies of "on Stage" and "Little Orphan Annie".

Joe and Mark Sinnott were there, and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Joe did a cover for the Inkwell Awards auction and blew us away. He still cranks out incredible artwork.

Neal Adams was in form and his son Josh had some really nice work there in the form of a sketchbook. He has an upcoming project that will be out in the near future.

Neal had some wonderful examples of his career work. He is one funny dude, I have to laugh because he does not BS people when they ask about their work and look for a critique.

My big surprise was Steve Rude. I had met him before and I have an old sketchbook of is but, and this is your big but, his original pages for "Nexus 100" 'bout knocked my eyes out.

Twice up pages watercolored and they were just as super as anyone can believe. I was stunned that his work was so good. I should have taken pictures but you can always buy the book. It is worth the price.

I met up with Art Thibert (Pronounced T-Bare) took me a bit to get it down, Art's work is fabulous. He can pencil as well as he inks and I am impressed. He was with his partner on his "Chronos" book. He is a wonderful person and is doing a cover for the Inkwell Awards as well. So check out his books they are really great.

I saw a friend Larry Harrison (Harrison's Comics in Salem, MA) and he showed me a page he bought off of a fellow by the name of Doug Klauba. It knocked my socks off so I had to get a Flash Gordon colored print with sketches for myself. Normally I don't care for prints or sketches to hang on the wall (usually just original INKED pages), But this cat has it going on. He is schooled a bit by Alex (Gimmee-all-your-money-for-my-signature) Ross. And is one hell of an artist. His pages are extremely detailed and are a site to behold.

Next stop was Elvira artist and fellow Wally Wood worshiper, Ron Sutton. Ron was there a young lady who writes and draws equally well and I am having a senior moment about her name but will find out from him. Ron is coming out with an issue of Fear agent #22. It is a must have. He put a lot of work in the pages and they looked like they were Guided by the Master himself, WW. Check it out, you will like what you see.

Bob Layton was there and I asked for a cover drawing for te inkwell Awards which he graciously accepted to do. I had not seen him since 1985. He still looks the same...

Cesar and I talked with Leonard Kirk for a while and his new title may surprise you.

I really like his work.

Jim Lee was there signing for his fans.

I only got a quick hello in to Gail Simone, as she was busy at the DC booth. She started the "Unscrewed" project off on her YABs board. Tom Stillwell was there also and touting "Unscrewed". He is dedicated, I will give him that. He is also out with a new comic.

Archie Booth was jammed and Ron Dante showed up. It was nice seeing him again.

Keith Champagne was there along with Patrick Gleason.

I did not see Gene Colin or Norm Breyfogle, I know Norm was there, but I missed him.

Superstar Artist/Inker Bob Mcleod was there, and sold out of his book. It was funny too because Cesar and I were looking through an artists portfolio, and we were checking the inkers out that he had worked with. Without mentioning names we were looking and the first few were a little heavy and scratchy, next were a little better, next were the same, Then they got better and then, the pages were pure enjoyment, lo-and-behold...Bob Mcleod inked them. His work just kills me.

Mark Mckenna was setup with McKone and Jim Califiore, The best guys in the show. Mark had some nice pages and had a birthday so send money. The three had some really great pages there and are always a pleasure to see.

The show was very well done and Bob was suffering from a toothache which is just about as bad as it gets, yet put on a very good front.

Bob Smith was there and I wanted to talk with him more but missed him. He is my favorite Archie inker and he is just an all around great guy as well as prolific inker.

I know I am forgetting half the people we saw but I guess that's par for the course. Normally I would have twisted arms for my sketchbook but I did not this trip. It was so large and we did so much on one floor I never got to a panel that I wanted to see. The show is huge and needs to go later.

OK on to pictures, Sorry I lost some, and my camera setting was wrong (bring a new camera next time), but here is what I got...

Bob Almond and Valerie